Japan’s ‘King Kazu’ to play on at 54 after signing extension

SMA NEWS – TOKYO

Kazuyoshi Miura, the oldest scorer in Japanese professional football, is set to play on at the age of 54 after extending his contract with Yokohama FC for another season, the club said on Monday.

Miura, dubbed ‘King Kazu’ in Japan, turns 54 on Feb. 26, a day before the 2021 J.League campaign kicks off. It will be his 17th season with the club he joined in 2005.

The former Japan striker last scored against Thespakusatsu Gunma in 2017 in Japan’s second division, becoming the oldest player to score in a Japanese professional league game at 50 years and 14 days.

The 2021 season will be Miura’s 36th as a professional after starting his career with Santos in Brazil in 1986.