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Kazuyoshi Miura, who turns 59 in February 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 might feature in the J.League - the top three divisions of football in Japan - for the initial occasion in half a decade.

The former Japan striker, who began his professional journey 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 am truly thankful to be presented with this chance. I promise 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 loan since 2022 from J2 League side Yokohama FC.

The veteran, 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 ended in 2000, two years after his surprising exclusion from the squad for Japan's maiden FIFA World Cup campaign.

The footballer, who has talked of playing until he is 60, 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 twenty-club J3 League last season.