Featured Image Credit: Alamy/Nikkan Sport
Topics: Japan, Kazuyoshi Miura
Jack Kenmare
Kazuyoshi Miura, the world's oldest active professional footballer, has been spotted in an airport ahead of the 15th transfer of his remarkable 36-year career.
The 55-year-old forward, who made his pro debut in 1986, joined Japanese fourth tier side Suzaka Point Getters at the beginning of this year on a loan spell from parent club Yokohama FC.
And last month, after a handful of appearances, he would finally etch his name into the history books.
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Miura slotted home the perfect penalty for Suzuka in their league clash against Tiamo Hirakata and after finding the back of the net, he pulled off a cheeky dance move. It was his first goal since March 2017.
A month later and the experienced striker is all set for a new challenge. In fact, the former Japan international is taking a step up to play in Portugal's second-tier for Oliveirense, according to Nikkan Sport.
It should be noted that Yokohama FC, his parent club, are owned by the Onodera Group, who own a 52.5 percent stake in Oliveirense.
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But it remains a great move for Kazuyoshi Miura, who was snapped leaving an airport for Portugal on Wednesday.
Oliveirense currently sit in 14th place in LigaPro with two wins from 13 games, so let's see if a sprinkling of experience will help them climb the league ladder.
On his 50th birthday in February 2017, Miura took to the field for Yokohama in their J. League Division 2 clash against Matsumoto Yamaga.
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As a result, he became the oldest player to play a professional game of football, breaking Stanley Matthews' previous record in the process.
Six years on and one of Japan's most loved sporting figures is still going, age 55.
After scoring against Criacao Shinjuku in October for fourth tier side Suzaka Point Getters, he opened up about playing for so long.
"I'm grateful to have played in the best atmosphere possible, and feel proud," Miura said after scoring in front of 16,218 people at the newly-built National Stadium.
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"I wanted this game to be a part of the history I'm making. Having got the chance to play at a place like this, I'll be staying humble and keep going without forgetting the hunger."
The man known as King Kazu has also been immortalised by the guys over at eFootball on PES 2021, and is the only currently active player to feature on FIFA 96.
At this point, I've ran out of superlatives to describe this incredible human being.