‘King Kazu’ Kazuyoshi Miura, 58, is set to join Japanese third-tier side Fukushima United for a remarkable 41st professional season.
TOKYO: Japanese football icon Kazuyoshi Miura (pic) is poised to extend his extraordinary career into a 41st professional season at the age of 58.
Local media report the striker, famously known as ‘King Kazu’, will join third-division club Fukushima United on a year-long loan.
Miura spent the previous season with fourth-tier side Atletico Suzuka, making seven appearances.
The move is not yet official, but Miura’s recent transfers are typically announced at 11:11am on January 11, a tribute to his shirt number.
The former Japan international will celebrate his 59th birthday in February.
He began his professional career in 1986 with Brazilian giants Santos.
Miura’s storied career has also included spells with clubs in Italy, Croatia, Australia, and Portugal.
He was instrumental in popularising football in Japan during the launch of the professional J. League in 1993.
Miura earned 89 caps for Japan, scoring 55 goals, but was controversially omitted from the squad for their maiden FIFA World Cup finals appearance in 1998.
