As Kazuyoshi Miura joins Fukushima United at age 58, how long has he been playing and when did he make his debut?

Miura, who turns 59 in February, is already the world’s oldest professional footballer. This move to Japanese third-division club Fukushima United could see him play in Japan’s top three divisions for the first time in five years.

The former Japan striker began his professional career with Santos in Brazil in 1986. Last season, he made seven appearances on loan at fourth-tier Atletico Suzuka, playing 69 minutes without scoring.

This will be his 41st season as a professional player.

Miura said: “My passion for football hasn’t changed, no matter how old I get.

“I’m very grateful to be given this opportunity. I promise I will give everything I have to contribute. Let’s make history together.”

Nicknamed “King Kazu,” Miura is on his fourth loan spell since 2022 from J2 League side Yokohama FC. Although he signed permanently for the club in 2005, he has not played a competitive minute for them since 2020.

Miura has also played club football in Italy, Croatia and Australia. At the international level, he scored 55 goals in 89 appearances for Japan before his career ended in 2000. He was notably left out of Japan’s squad for their first World Cup appearance in 1998.

Miura has previously said he hopes to keep playing until the age of 60. He described the move to Fukushima as a “new challenge” after his previous club was relegated to Japan’s regional leagues.

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