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Age is just a number: Japanese football player Kazuyoshi Miura signs for J-League team at 58

The former international is ready to ‘take on a new challenge’ in his professional career that started in 1986 for Brazilian team Santos

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Kazuyoshi Miura (left) playing for U.D Oliveirense against Academico de Viseu FC in Portugal when he was 56 years old. Photo: AP
Agence France-Presse

Japanese football legend Kazuyoshi Miura said his passion for playing the game was as strong as ever after signing for a third-division team at the age of 58 on Tuesday.

Miura, known as “King Kazu”, will join Japan’s Fukushima United on loan from Yokohama FC until June for what will be his 41st season as a professional footballer.

He will turn 59 in February.

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“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.

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“Let’s make history together!”

Kazuyoshi Miura (left) played against Sweden at the Hong Kong Stadium in 1996. Photo: SCMP
Kazuyoshi Miura (left) played against Sweden at the Hong Kong Stadium in 1996. Photo: SCMP
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