Kazuyoshi Miura, set to turn 59 next month and is the world's oldest professional footballer, has signed a loan deal until June with Japanese third division side Fukushima United.
The transfer means Miura might feature in the J.League - encompassing the highest tiers of Japanese football - for the initial occasion in five years.
The ex-international forward, 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 remains undimmed, regardless of my age," he said as he prepares for a forty-first campaign as a professional footballer.
"I'm very grateful to be given this opportunity. I vow I will play with all my heart to make a contribution. Let's make history together!"
Referred to 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 featured in Italy, Croatia and Australia, joined the club in 2005 but has remained absent from the pitch for them since 2020.
He scored 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.
Miura, who has talked of playing until he is 60, said he was ready to "take on a new challenge" after being demoted last season to Japan's regional leagues.
Fukushima finished 10th in the 20-team third division last season.
