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Kazuyoshi Miura, who turns 59 in February and is recognized globally as football's most senior pro, has signed a temporary transfer until June with Japanese third division side Fukushima United.

This move means Miura might feature in the Japanese professional league - the top three divisions of football in Japan - for the initial occasion in five years.

The ex-international forward, who began his professional journey with Brazilian side Santos in 1986, did not find the net in just over an hour across seven outings last season while on loan at JFL side Atletico Suzuka.

"My love for the game hasn't changed, no matter how old I get," he said as he prepares for a 41st season as a pro footballer.

"I am truly thankful to be given this opportunity. I promise I will play with everything I have to help the team. Together, we can create a legacy!"

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

Miura, 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 career for the national team 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 relegated last season to Japan's regional leagues.

Fukushima ended the season in tenth place in the 20-team J3 League last season.