Japanese footballing icon Kazuyoshi Miura, aged 58, has defied time once again by securing a new loan move to J.League side Fukushima United. This remarkable deal sets the stage for his 41st season as a professional footballer, a career that began in 1986.
A Passion That Never Ages
Miura, affectionately known as 'King Kazu' in his homeland, will join the third-division club on loan from J2 League's Yokohama FC until June. This marks his return to Japan's professional J.League system for the first time in five years. The veteran striker, who turns 59 in February, remains as driven as ever.
"My passion for football hasn't changed, no matter how old I get," Miura stated. "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!" He has publicly set his sights on continuing to play until he is 60 years old.
A Storied Career Across the Globe
Miura's journey is unparalleled in the sport. He launched his professional career at the famed Brazilian club Santos in 1986. Since then, his career has taken him across the world, with notable spells at clubs in Italy (Genoa), Croatia (Dinamo Zagreb), and Australia (Sydney FC).
On the international stage, he was a talisman for Japan, earning 89 caps and scoring an impressive 55 goals between 1992 and 2000. However, he was famously omitted from the squad for Japan's historic first World Cup finals appearance at France 1998.
The Loan Journey Continues
This move to Fukushima United represents the latest chapter in a recent series of loan spells for Miura. He has not featured for his parent club, Yokohama FC, since 2020. Last season, he played for fourth-tier side Atletico Suzuka, making seven appearances totalling 69 minutes without finding the net.
The upcoming stint with Fukushima will be his fourth separate loan agreement since 2022, demonstrating both his enduring desire to play and the unique appeal of his legendary status within the game. As he prepares to step onto the pitch for his 41st season, Kazuyoshi Miura continues to redefine the limits of athletic longevity.
