<strong>Together, let's create history'</strong> - Kazuyoshi Miura, 58, joins new club.

Kazuyoshi Miura, who turns 59 in February and is recognized globally as football's most senior pro, has agreed to a loan deal until June with J3 League club Fukushima United.

The transfer means Miura could play in the Japanese professional league - encompassing the highest tiers of football in Japan - for the initial occasion in half a decade.

The former Japan striker, who began his professional journey with the Brazilian club Santos in 1986, did not find the net in just over an hour across seven outings last season while on loan at fourth-tier club Atletico Suzuka.

"My passion for football remains undimmed, no matter how old I get," he said as he prepares for a 41st season as a professional footballer.

"I'm very grateful to be presented with this chance. I promise I will play with everything I have to make a contribution. Let's make history together!"

Known as 'King Kazu' in Japan, this will be Miura's fourth temporary move since 2022 from second division club Yokohama FC.

Miura, who has also played club football in Australia, Italy, and Croatia, signed for the club in 2005 but has remained absent from the pitch for them since 2020.

He scored 55 goals in 89 games in an career for the national team that ended in 2000, shortly following his surprising exclusion from the squad for Japan's maiden FIFA World Cup campaign.

The footballer, who has expressed a desire for playing until he is 60, 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.