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Sunday, October 11, 2026
Betul Traland's Blog

<strong>We can create a legacy'</strong> - Kazuyoshi Miura, fifty-eight, moves to new team.

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

This move means Miura could play in the J.League - encompassing the highest tiers of Japanese football - for the first time in five years.

The ex-international forward, who began his professional journey with the Brazilian club Santos in 1986, failed to score in 69 minutes across seven outings last season while on loan at JFL side Atletico Suzuka.

"My passion for football 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 given this opportunity. I promise I will play with all my heart 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 Italy, Croatia and Australia, signed for 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.

Miura, 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 ended the season in tenth place in the twenty-club J3 League last season.

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Wendy Gonzalez

A passionate traveler and writer documenting diverse cultures and hidden gems around the world.

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