King Kazu in his 41st season – new club for Japanese legend at 58

Japanese football icon Kazuyoshi Miura is not done yet. The evergreen forward, who turns 59 in February, has secured a six-month loan move to Fukushima United, pushing his extraordinary playing career into an unprecedented fifth decade.

The deal opens the door for Miura to appear again across the J.League’s top three tiers, something he hasn’t done in the past five years. As he gears up for what will be his 41st season as a professional, the message from the veteran is unmistakable: the motivation is still there, undimmed by time.

"My passion for football hasn't changed, no matter how old I get," he said. "I'm very grateful to be given this opportunity. I promise I will play with everything I have to make a contribution. Let's make history together!"

Known nationwide as “King Kazu,” Miura’s path has always been unconventional. He launched his professional journey in Brazil with Santos back in 1986, embracing a footballing culture far from home when overseas moves were rare for Japanese players. That adventurous spirit later took him to clubs in Italy, Croatia and Australia, giving him a truly international résumé long before such careers became the norm.

Although he has been registered with Yokohama FC since 2005, Miura has spent much of the last two decades moving on loan, and this switch to Fukushima United is already his fourth temporary move since 2022. Last season saw him at fourth-tier Atletico Suzuka, where opportunities were scarce: seven appearances, 69 minutes in total, and no goals.

On the international stage, Miura remains one of Japan’s most recognizable figures, with 55 goals in 89 appearances for the national team. His final cap came in 2000, two years after missing out on selection for Japan’s historic first World Cup squad. Even then, his link with the national colors didn’t fade entirely, as he later earned six caps in futsal alongside his long club career.

Adversity has never been enough to slow him down. Even after dropping into regional leagues, Miura spoke openly about his desire to "take on a new challenge" — a mindset that once again defines his latest move. Fukushima United, who finished 10th in last season’s 20-team third division, now provide the stage for the next chapter in one of football’s most remarkable careers.