Kazuyoshi Miura, the world’s oldest footballer at 48, has signed a new deal with Yokohama FC, extending a career which began way back in 1986.
The Japanese striker has no intention of retiring as he aims to continue playing towards his 50th birthday. The new deal will see him tied down beyond his 49th birthday next February.
“I am thankful to the club staff and to the supporters who have always supported me – I will continue to give everything I have,” he told Kyodo News.
Known as King Kazu in his homeland, he has enjoyed a glittering career since signing for the Brazilian club Santos in 1986. Miura became the first Japanese player to appear in Serie A when he spent the 1994-5 season on loan at Genoa and made 89 appearances for his country, scoring 55 goals before retiring in 2000.
He also played in Sydney FC’s attack back in 2005, meaning he has played for clubs on four different continents.
Miurs still has some way to go to emulate Sir Stanley Matthews who made his final top flight appearance for Stoke City at the the age of 50. But even that that pales into insignificance in comparison to Salvador Reyes. The former Mexico striker was 71 in 2008, when Chivas allowed him to take the kick off in a match before immediately substituting him.
Nevertheless, at the age of 48, Miura is still knocking the goals in.
