Kazuyoshi Miura, 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 could play in the Japanese professional league - the top three divisions of Japanese football - for the initial occasion in half a decade.
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 passion for football hasn't changed, regardless of my age," he said as he gears up for a forty-first campaign as a pro footballer.
"I am truly thankful to be presented with this chance. I vow I will play with all my heart to help the team. Let's make history together!"
Referred to as 'King Kazu' in Japan, this will be Miura's fourth loan since 2022 from J2 League side Yokohama FC.
Miura, who has also featured in Australia, Italy, and Croatia, joined the club in 2005 but has remained absent from the pitch for them since 2020.
He netted 55 goals in 89 games in an career for the national team that concluded in 2000, two years after his surprising exclusion 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 relegated last season to the country's lower regional divisions.
Fukushima United finished 10th in the twenty-club third division last season.
