Football: 57-yr-old Miura returns to Suzuka after Portugal spell

Japanese football icon Kazuyoshi Miura has rejoined Atletico Suzuka for a second loan spell from J2 side Yokohama FC, the fourth-tier club announced Tuesday.

The 57-year-old former Japan forward, second in the country's all-time scoring list with 55 goals from 89 games, had been on loan at Portuguese second-tier side Oliveirense since February last year and played in eight league games in total without scoring.

Miura bagged two goals in 18 matches during his first spell at Suzuka Point Getters in 2022 before the club was renamed in January following a management reshuffle.

Currently in his 39th professional season, Miura will look to rewrite both his records for oldest appearance and scoring in the Japan Football League with Suzuka.

The Shizuoka Prefecture native left Japan at 15 years of age for Brazil where he made his professional debut with Santos in 1986. After returning to Japan in 1990, Miura won the MVP award in the J-League's inaugural season in 1993 while at Verdy Kawasaki, now Tokyo Verdy.

He became the first Japanese to play in the Italian Serie A with Genoa in the 1994-1995 season and also had spells at Dinamo Zagreb, Kyoto Sanga, Vissel Kobe and Sydney FC.

© Kyodo News