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The legendary Japanese striker, set to turn 59 next month and is the world's oldest professional footballer, 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 - the top three divisions of Japanese football - for the first time in half a decade.

The former Japan striker, who started his career with Brazilian side Santos in 1986, did not find the net in just over an hour across seven appearances 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 pro footballer.

"I'm very grateful to be given this opportunity. I vow I will play with all my heart to make a contribution. Together, we can create a legacy!"

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

The veteran, who has also played club football in Italy, Croatia and Australia, signed for the club in 2005 but has not played a minute for them since 2020.

He scored 55 goals in 89 games in an international career that concluded in 2000, two years after his surprising exclusion 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 the country's lower regional divisions.

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