Japan Football Legend ‘King Kazu’ Signs for New Team at 58

Japanese football icon Kazuyoshi Miura, famously known as “King Kazu,” has signed for a third-division team at the age of 58, demonstrating that his passion for the sport remains as strong as ever.

Miura will join Japan’s Fukushima United on loan until June, marking his 41st season as a professional footballer. He will turn 59 in February.

“My passion for football hasn’t changed, no matter how old I get,” the former Japan international said in a statement issued by his new club.
“I’m very grateful to be given the opportunity to play in Fukushima, and I will fight hard as a member of Fukushima United. Let’s make history together!”

Last season, Miura played for fourth-tier Atletico Suzuka, making seven appearances as the team were relegated to Japan’s regional leagues after finishing second-bottom and losing a playoff.

His move to Fukushima marks a return to the J. League — the top three divisions of Japanese football — for the first time in five years. Miura said he is ready to “take on a new challenge” with Fukushima, who finished 10th in the 20-team third division last season.

“To all the Fukushima United players, coaching staff, fans, sponsors and people in the local area, I promise that I will play with everything I have to make a contribution,” he added.

Miura made his professional debut in 1986 with Brazilian club Santos and has also played in Italy, Croatia, Australia, and Portugal. He was instrumental in popularizing football in Japan when the professional J. League launched in 1993.

He debuted for the Japan national team in 1990 and scored 55 goals in 89 appearances, though he was famously left out of Japan’s squad for their first World Cup finals in 1998.

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