Kazuyoshi Miura, who turns 59 in February and is recognized globally as football's most senior pro, has agreed to a temporary transfer until June with Japanese third division side Fukushima United.
This move means Miura could play in the Japanese professional league - encompassing the highest tiers of Japanese football - for the first time in five years.
The former Japan striker, who started his career with the Brazilian club Santos in 1986, did not find the net 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, no matter how old I get," he said as he prepares for a forty-first campaign as a professional footballer.
"I am truly thankful 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 temporary move since 2022 from J2 League side Yokohama FC.
Miura, who has also played club football in Italy, Croatia and Australia, 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 notable omission from the squad for Japan's maiden FIFA World Cup campaign.
The footballer, who has talked of continuing his career into his seventh decade, said he was ready to "take on a new challenge" after being demoted last season to the country's lower regional divisions.
Fukushima finished 10th in the 20-team third division last season.
