Japanese striker Kazuyoshi Miura has just extended his contract Yokohama FC. Entering his 35th season at the age of 52, it marks one of the longest professional sports contracts in history.
Known affectionately as “King Kazu” to his fans, Miura holds the record for the oldest footballer to score a goal in a competitive match. While most professional footballers would have hung up their boots and moved on to coaching or punditry by his age, the 52-year-old is still going strong and is the oldest player in the J-League – Japan’s top division.
“I was able to renew my contract with FC Tokyo for the 2020 season,” said Miura in a statement for The Japan Times.
“I hope to enjoy playing soccer and remember to be grateful as I make an effort to achieve the club’s goal of staying in the J1. I’ll work hard to contribute to the team’s wins.”
Kazuyoshi Miura joined Yokohama FC in 2005 after previously playing for Japanese team Vissel Kobe. His club career has taken him to various clubs in Japan, Brazil, Italy and Croatia. He has also made 55 appearances for the Japanese national team between 1990 and 2000.
In March 2017 Miura became the oldest player to appear in a professional match at the age of 50 years and seven days, beating the record previously set by England’s Stanley Matthews.
