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The legendary Japanese striker, set to turn 59 next month and is recognized globally as football's most senior pro, has agreed to a loan deal until June with J3 League club Fukushima United.

The transfer means Miura might feature in the J.League - the top three divisions of football in Japan - for the initial occasion in five years.

The former Japan striker, who started his career with Brazilian side Santos in 1986, failed to score in just over an hour across seven outings last season while on loan at JFL side Atletico Suzuka.

"My love for the game hasn't changed, no matter how old I get," he said as he gears up for a forty-first campaign as a professional footballer.

"I'm very grateful to be presented with this chance. I promise I will play with everything I have to make a contribution. Together, we can create a legacy!"

Referred to 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 not played a minute for them since 2020.

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

The footballer, who has talked of playing until he is 60, said he was ready to "embrace a fresh test" after being relegated last season to the country's lower regional divisions.

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