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Topics: Japan, Portugal, Football, Primeira Liga, Kazuyoshi Miura
Rory O'Callaghan
Topics: Japan, Portugal, Football, Primeira Liga, Kazuyoshi Miura
The oldest professional footballer in the world, Japan's Kazuyoshi Miura, has been handed a new contract in Portugal – meaning he will still be getting paid to play at the incredible age of 57.
Affectionately named 'King Kazu', Miura began his career all the way back in 1986.
He started out at Brazilian club Santos as Japan had no professional football league at the time.
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Miura would go on to play for six Brazilian clubs over the course of four years before returning to Japan to become the face of its new domestic competition, the J League.
He played for Verdy Kawaski and led them to back-to-back titles in 1993 and 1994 before becoming the first Japanese player to play in the Serie A when he joined Genoa on loan.
Further spells at Dinamo Zagreb, Kyoto Purple Sanga and Vissel Kobe would follow before joined Yokohama FC, where he scored 27 goals in 298 appearances.
Miura joined Portuguese second-division side Oliveirense on loan from Yokohama in January.
He made his official debut in a league match against Academico de Viseu, with his side winning 4-1.
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In the last league game of the season, he was handed the man of the match award where he played the last 20 minutes with his team winning 4-3 against Leixoes.
After the match, Miura confirmed he planned to continue his remarkable career despite only making three competitive appearances in the campaign.
"I intend to play until I'm 60," he told Sport TV.
Oliveirense announced on social media on Tuesday that 56-year-old Miura will continue with them for another season.
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"Kazuyoshi Miura, thank you for your continued support this season!," tweeted the Portuguese club.
He could now feature in Oliveirense's pre-season friendly against Fafe on July 15 ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.