55-Year-Old Japanese Footballer ‘King Kazu’ Signs For Portuguese Club

‘King Kazu’ had started his professional career with the Brazilian side Santos in 1986.

Japanese player Kazuyoshi Miura waves during a Paris Saint-Germain press conference in Tokyo on July 17, 2022.

Source : AFP

While most professional footballers retire from the sport in their 30s, fresh media reports have confirmed that Kazuyoshi Miura, 55-year-old Japanese footballer, has signed for a Portuguese second-division club on loan from Yokohoma FC. 

A BBC report claims that while Miura, who will turn 56 on February 26, is in no mood to hang up his boots as a professional player. Yokohoma had acquired a majority stake in Oliveirense last year.

Mirua already holds the record for being the oldest goalscorer in Japanese professional league. His new contract in Portugal will be the sixth country in which he has played after his stints in Brazil, Japan, Italy, Croatia and Australia.

“Even though this is a new place for me, I’ll work hard to show everyone the kind of play I’m known for," Miura was quoted as saying.

"He has previously said he plans to continue playing until he is 60. Miura spent last season on loan at Suzuka Point Getters, scoring two goals in 18 appearances for the Japanese fourth-tier side who are managed by his older brother Yasutoshi," the BBC report quoted.

It is pertinent to note that Miura had started his professional career with the Brazilian side Santos in 1986, meaning he is into his fifth decade of his professional career. His goal against Thespakusatsu Gunma aged 50 years and 14 days helped him enter the history books as it still remains the goal by an oldest player in a Japanese professional league.

The BBC report, meanwhile, has added that Miura is often referred to as 'King Kazu' in Japan and is among the most loved sportsmen of the country. Many recognised him as the face of the J League, the report adds when it was launched in 1993.

Miura donned Japan's national jersey in 89 matches, netting 55 goals which is the second highest by a Japanese player. He was a member of the Asian Cup-winning side in 1992. His last international match was in 2000.