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Kazuyoshi Miura, set to turn 59 next month and is the world's oldest professional footballer, has finalized a loan deal until June with J3 League club Fukushima United.

The transfer means Miura could play in the Japanese professional league - the top three divisions of Japanese football - for the initial occasion 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 JFL side 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 given this opportunity. I promise I will play with all my heart 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 career for the national team that concluded in 2000, shortly following his notable omission from the squad for Japan's maiden FIFA World Cup campaign.

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 Japan's regional leagues.

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