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Kazuyoshi Miura, set to turn 59 next month and is recognized globally as football's most senior pro, has finalized a temporary transfer until June with J3 League club Fukushima United.

This move means Miura could play 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 began his professional journey with the Brazilian club Santos in 1986, did not find the net in 69 minutes across seven appearances last season while on loan at fourth-tier club Atletico Suzuka.

"My love for the game remains undimmed, 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 given this opportunity. I promise I will play with everything I have to make a contribution. 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.

Miura, who has also played club football in Italy, Croatia and Australia, joined the club in 2005 but has not played a minute for them since 2020.

He netted 55 goals in 89 games in an international career that concluded in 2000, shortly following his notable omission from the squad for Japan's first World Cup finals appearance.

The footballer, who has talked of 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 twenty-club J3 League last season.