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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 - the top three divisions of football in Japan - for the first time in five years.

The ex-international forward, who started his career with Brazilian side 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 passion for football hasn't changed, no matter how old I get," he said as he gears up for a 41st season as a professional footballer.

"I am truly thankful to be presented with this chance. I vow I will play with everything I have to help the team. Let's make history together!"

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 Australia, Italy, and Croatia, 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 international career that ended in 2000, two years after his surprising exclusion from the squad for Japan's first World Cup finals appearance.

The footballer, who has expressed a desire for playing until he is 60, said he was ready to "embrace a fresh test" after being relegated last season to the country's lower regional divisions.

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