World’s Oldest Footballer Set To Join Portuguese Club At 55

Former Japan international, Kazu Miura, who is the world’s oldest footballer, has signed for a new club to continue his 36-year career.

Miura, 55, who spent a decade starring for the Japanese national team, began his professional career back in 1986 with Brazilian side Santos.

Since then he has moved teams on 14 occasions – but had spent 17 years with Yokohama FC before being loaned out to Suzuka Point Getters earlier this year.

And according to Nikkan Sport, Miura is now set to join Portuguese second tier outfit Oliveirense.

Miura was spotted at the airport heading to Portugal on Wednesday ahead of the move.

He shot to stardom in the early 90s when he beat England legend Gary Lineker, who played for Grampus Eight, to the J-League’s most valuable player award.

Miura bagged 117 goals in 192 appearances for Verdy Kawasaki and was named Asian Footballer of the Year in 1992 – beating Lineker to the prize.

That led to a loan move to Italian side Genoa followed by a permanent switch to Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia.

Also Read: 5 Former World Cup Stars Who Didn’t Quite Live Up To The Hype

He then returned to Japan in 1999 with Kyoto Sanga.

Next up came a five-year stint with Vissel Kobe, before he moved to Yokohama in 2005.

Miura also spent a decade playing for Japan between 1990 and 2000, scoring a sensational 55 goals in 89 appearances.

But he remarkably never made it to a World Cup as Japan failed to qualify in 1994 and he was then controversially left out of their squad for the 1998 tournament.

The veteran attacker revealed earlier this year he plans to carry on playing until he is 60.