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Kazuyoshi Miura, who turns 59 in February 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 might feature in the Japanese professional league - the top three divisions of football in Japan - for the initial occasion in five years.

The former Japan striker, who started his career with the Brazilian club 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, no matter how old I get," he said as he prepares for a 41st season as a professional footballer.

"I am truly thankful to be given this opportunity. I promise I will play with everything I have to help the team. Together, we can create a legacy!"

Referred to as 'King Kazu' in Japan, this will be Miura's fourth loan since 2022 from J2 League side Yokohama FC.

The veteran, who has also featured in Italy, Croatia and Australia, 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 talked of continuing his career into his seventh decade, said he was ready to "take on a new challenge" after being relegated last season to the country's lower regional divisions.

Fukushima United finished 10th in the twenty-club third division last season.