
Kazuyoshi Miura (foto: splet)
57-year-old former Japanese international Kazuyoshi Miura, known as "King Kazu," returns to Japan to play for Atletico Suzuka in the fourth division, on loan from Yokohama FC.
Former Japanese international, 57-year-old Kazuyoshi Miura, has announced his return to Japan and stated that he sees no reason to hang up his boots.
The grey-haired striker, known as "King Kazu" in his homeland, will play for Atletico Suzuka, a team in the fourth-tier Japan Football League (JFL), on loan from Yokohama FC, which competes in the second division.
Miura recently returned to Japan after spending two seasons with Portuguese second-division club Oliveirense, also on loan from Yokohama.
"I don't plan to retire," said Miura, who played for Dinamo Zagreb in 1999. "My passion for the game is as strong as ever."
The JFL consists of amateur clubs and local teams that aspire to advance to the J-League someday.
Miura made his debut in 1986 for Brazilian club Santos and, apart from Croatia, has played in Japan, Italy, and Australia.
One of the most renowned Asian footballers of the 90s, Miura helped raise awareness of Japanese football by launching the J-League, Japan's first professional league, in 1993.
He debuted for the Japanese national team in 1990 but did not participate in their first World Cup appearance in 1998, despite scoring 55 goals in 89 matches for his country.