Kazuyoshi Miura, set to turn 59 next month and is the world's oldest professional footballer, has finalized a temporary transfer until June with Japanese third division side Fukushima United.
The transfer means Miura could play 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 started his career with Brazilian side Santos in 1986, failed to score in 69 minutes across seven appearances last season while on loan at fourth-tier club Atletico Suzuka.
"My passion for football remains undimmed, regardless of my age," he said as he gears up for a 41st season as a professional footballer.
"I'm very grateful to be given this opportunity. I vow I will play with everything I have 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, 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 maiden FIFA World Cup campaign.
Miura, who has talked of continuing his career into his seventh decade, said he was ready to "take on a new challenge" after being demoted last season to the country's lower regional divisions.
Fukushima ended the season in tenth place in the 20-team third division last season.
