<strong>We can create history'</strong> - Miura, 58, moves to a fresh football side.

Kazuyoshi Miura, who turns 59 in February and is the world's oldest professional footballer, has finalized a loan deal until June with J3 League club Fukushima United.

This move means Miura might feature in the Japanese professional league - encompassing the highest tiers of Japanese football - 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 fourth-tier club Atletico Suzuka.

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

"I'm very grateful to be given this opportunity. I vow I will play with all my heart to help the team. Let's make history together!"

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 featured in Australia, Italy, and Croatia, joined 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, two years after his surprising exclusion from the squad for Japan's first World Cup finals appearance.

Miura, who has talked of playing until he is 60, said he was ready to "embrace a fresh test" after being relegated last season to Japan's regional leagues.

Fukushima United finished 10th in the 20-team J3 League last season.