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The legendary Japanese striker, who turns 59 in February and is recognized globally as football's most senior pro, has signed a temporary transfer until June with Japanese third division side Fukushima United.

The transfer means Miura could play in the J.League - encompassing the highest tiers of football in Japan - for the initial occasion in half a decade.

The ex-international forward, who began his professional journey with Brazilian side Santos in 1986, failed to score in just over an hour across seven appearances last season while on loan at fourth-tier club Atletico Suzuka.

"My love for the game hasn't changed, no matter how old I get," he said as he gears up for a 41st season as a professional footballer.

"I'm very grateful to be presented with this chance. I vow I will play with everything I have to help the team. Let's make history together!"

Known as 'King Kazu' in Japan, this will be Miura's fourth loan since 2022 from second division club Yokohama FC.

The veteran, who has also played club football in Italy, Croatia and Australia, signed for 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 concluded in 2000, two years after his notable omission from the squad for Japan's first World Cup finals appearance.

The footballer, who has expressed a desire for continuing his career into his seventh decade, said he was ready to "embrace a fresh test" after being demoted last season to the country's lower regional divisions.

Fukushima ended the season in tenth place in the twenty-club third division last season.