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Sunday, October 11, 2026
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<strong>We can make history'</strong> - Miura, fifty-eight, signs with new football side.

The legendary Japanese striker, who turns 59 in February and is the world's oldest professional footballer, has agreed to a loan deal until June with Japanese third division side Fukushima United.

The transfer means Miura might feature in the J.League - encompassing the highest tiers of Japanese football - for the initial occasion in half a decade.

The ex-international forward, who started his career with the Brazilian club Santos in 1986, failed to score in 69 minutes across seven outings last season while on loan at fourth-tier club Atletico Suzuka.

"My love for the game hasn't changed, regardless of my age," he said as he gears up for a forty-first campaign as a pro footballer.
"I'm very grateful to be presented with this chance. I promise I will play with everything I have to help the team. Together, we can create a legacy!"

Known as 'King Kazu' in Japan, this will be Miura's fourth loan since 2022 from J2 League side Yokohama FC.

The veteran, who has also played club football in Australia, Italy, and Croatia, joined the club in 2005 but has remained absent from the pitch for them since 2020.

He scored 55 goals in 89 games in an career for the national team that ended in 2000, two years after his surprising exclusion from the squad for Japan's first World Cup finals appearance.

Miura, who has expressed a desire for continuing his career into his seventh decade, said he was ready to "embrace a fresh test" after being relegated last season to Japan's regional leagues.

Fukushima finished 10th in the 20-team J3 League last season.

The writer

Stanley Hopkins

Elena Visser is a vintage enthusiast and sustainability advocate based in Leiden, sharing her passion for timeless fashion through the Moonlight Shop blog.

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