Kazuyoshi Miura, set to turn 59 next month and is the world's oldest professional footballer, has signed a temporary transfer until June with Japanese third division side Fukushima United.
The transfer means Miura could play in the Japanese professional league - encompassing the highest tiers of football in Japan - for the first time in half a decade.
The ex-international forward, who started his career with the Brazilian club Santos in 1986, failed to score in just over an hour across seven outings last season while on loan at JFL side Atletico Suzuka.
"My love for the game remains undimmed, no matter how old I get," he said as he gears up for a 41st season as a professional footballer.
"I'm very grateful to be given this opportunity. I promise 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.
Miura, who has also played club football in Italy, Croatia and Australia, 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 concluded in 2000, shortly following his notable omission from the squad for Japan's first World Cup finals appearance.
Miura, who has talked of continuing his career into his seventh decade, said he was ready to "embrace a fresh test" after being demoted last season to the country's lower regional divisions.
Fukushima United finished 10th in the 20-team J3 League last season.
