49-year-old Kazuyoshi Miura signs on for another season

  • Updated
  • 12/01/2017

Japanese striker Kazuyoshi Miura will extend one of soccer's longest professional careers by 12 months after the 49-year-old agreed a new deal with second division Yokohama FC on Wednesday.

Miura, who scored 55 goals in 89 appearances for Japan prior to his international retirement in 2000, is set for his 32nd season as a professional.

"I hope to keep fighting with all my might together with people involved with the club, my teammates and supporters who have always given me support," said Miura, who turns 50 on February 26.

Kazuyoshi Miura, King Kazu, Yokohama FC
Yokohama FC striker Kazuyoshi Miura (Getty)

Fondly dubbed 'King Kazu', Miura not only broke his own record as the oldest scorer in Japanese professional football in June but also the record of the oldest player to appear in the Emperor's Cup soccer tournament in September.

He began his professional career in 1986 with Santos in Brazil and has gone on to enjoy spells with Genoa in Italy, Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia and Sydney FC.

As a 38-year-old, Miura made four appearances as a guest player for Sydney FC in 2005 and scored two goals in a 3-2 defeat against Adelaide United.

In the same year he signed for Yokohama and scored twice in 20 appearances for the club last season.

Reuters