58-year-old Kazuyoshi Miura joins Fukushima United on loan

Japanese soccer legend Kazuyoshi Miura, known as King Kazu, has signed a loan deal with J3 club Fukushima United FC at age 58. The move marks his return to the J.League after five years away.

Kazuyoshi Miura, the 58-year-old striker entering his 41st professional season, announced a loan move to Fukushima United FC for the 2026 season. In a statement from the club, Miura said, “I’m embarking on a new challenge. My enthusiasm for football hasn’t changed at all, although I’ve gotten older. I’d like to write a new history with the club’s supporters.”

In recent years, Miura played for Atletico Suzuka Club in the 2025 season, but the team was relegated to the regional Tokai Soccer League. He had also been with Uniao Desportiva Oliveirense in Portugal's Liga Portugal 2. His last appearance in the J.League was with J1 side Yokohama FC in 2021.

For the Japanese national team, Miura scored 55 goals, making him the second-highest scorer in history. The signing comes ahead of his 59th birthday in February, underscoring his enduring passion for the game.

Related Articles

Illustration of Japanese NPB stars Tatsuya Imai and Kazuma Okamoto meeting MLB teams in Los Angeles amid posting deadline pressure.
Image generated by AI

Japanese stars Imai and Okamoto meet MLB teams in LA

Reported by AI Image generated by AI

As their posting windows near closure, Japanese free agents Tatsuya Imai and Kazuma Okamoto are holding in-person meetings with MLB clubs in Los Angeles this week. The 27-year-old right-hander Imai faces a Friday deadline, while 29-year-old infielder Okamoto has until Sunday. Both players, coming off strong NPB seasons, have drawn interest from multiple teams seeking to bolster their rosters.

Kazuyoshi Miura, aka 'King Kazu,' the world's oldest professional soccer player at 58, has signed a loan deal with third-division J.League club Fukushima United FC from Yokohama FC. Following an initial club statement, he confirmed the move at a January 10 Tokyo press conference ahead of turning 59, expressing growing passion for the sport.

Reported by AI

Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami faces a December 22 deadline to sign with an MLB club after being posted by the Yakult Swallows. His market remains unclear, with limited buzz around potential suitors despite praise for his power potential. If no deal is reached, he would return to Japan for the 2026 season.

Seibu Lions pitcher Tatsuya Imai, posted to MLB on November 19, 2025, expressed a desire to compete against the Los Angeles Dodgers rather than join them. The 27-year-old right-hander, fresh off a standout 2025 season, aims to test his skills against stars like Shohei Ohtani. Interest from teams including the New York Yankees highlights his appeal in the free agency market.

Reported by AI

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) has named Junichi Hanzawa, 60, currently head of its main banking unit, as its next CEO effective April 1. Outgoing CEO Hironori Kamezawa, 64, will become chairman. As Japan's largest bank enjoys record profits, sustaining growth beyond rising interest rates poses a key challenge.

Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai has agreed to a three-year contract with the Houston Astros worth up to $63 million, including opt-out clauses after the 2026 and 2027 seasons. The 27-year-old right-hander, previously with the Saitama Seibu Lions in Nippon Professional Baseball, surprised many by choosing a shorter deal than preseason projections anticipated. While around 15 teams showed interest, concerns about his fastball translation to Major League Baseball influenced the market dynamics.

Reported by AI

Jinichiro Kozuma, a 31-year-old Japanese professional golfer, was unexpectedly dropped from the LIV Golf league just weeks before the 2026 season opener. The Iron Heads team, for which he played, rebranded as the Korean Golf Club without informing him directly, leaving him to discover the news on Instagram on January 12. Despite a solid 2025 season ranking 32nd, Kozuma finds himself jobless while lower-ranked players retain spots.

 

 

 

This website uses cookies

We use cookies for analytics to improve our site. Read our privacy policy for more information.
Decline