‘World’s oldest footballer’ signs new deal | CNN

Kazuyoshi Miura: ‘World’s oldest footballer’ signs new deal

By Matias Grez
2 minute read
Published 11:13 AM EST, Wed November 11, 2015
Kazuyoshi Miura has signed a new one-year deal with Yokohama FC at the grand old age of 48. The new contract means his professional football career will span more than 30 years.
Kazuyoshi Miura has signed a new one-year deal with Yokohama FC at the grand old age of 48. The new contract means his professional football career will span more than 30 years.
Masashi Hara/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
The 48-year-old has three goals in 16 appearances for the second division Japanese side this season, however he is currently sidelined with a thigh injury.
The 48-year-old has three goals in 16 appearances for the second division Japanese side this season, however he is currently sidelined with a thigh injury.
Masashi Hara/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Here is a fresh-faced 27-year-old "King Kazu" lining up for Japan before a game against Malaysia at the Asian Games in 1994.
Here is a fresh-faced 27-year-old "King Kazu" lining up for Japan before a game against Malaysia at the Asian Games in 1994.
Mike Powell/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Miura scored 55 goals in 89 appearances for Japan, before announcing his international retirement in 2000. His 14 goals during the qualifying campaign for the 1998 World Cup helped steer Japan towards their first finals in the country's history.
Miura scored 55 goals in 89 appearances for Japan, before announcing his international retirement in 2000. His 14 goals during the qualifying campaign for the 1998 World Cup helped steer Japan towards their first finals in the country's history.
Mike Powell/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Ryan Giggs retired from football in 2014 after spending his entire 23-year career -- tame in comparison to Miura -- at Manchester United. The Welshman made a club record 963 appearances for United, winning 34 trophies.
Ryan Giggs retired from football in 2014 after spending his entire 23-year career -- tame in comparison to Miura -- at Manchester United. The Welshman made a club record 963 appearances for United, winning 34 trophies.
PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images
U.S. goalkeeper Brad Friedel retired from professional football in 2015 at the age of 43. He spent the majority of his 21-year career in the Premier League, playing for Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham. The Ohio-born keeper also made 82 appearances for his country.
U.S. goalkeeper Brad Friedel retired from professional football in 2015 at the age of 43. He spent the majority of his 21-year career in the Premier League, playing for Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham. The Ohio-born keeper also made 82 appearances for his country.
Paul Gilham/Getty Images/file
Forty-nine-year-old Teddy Sheringham recently registered himself as a player for Stevenage, the club he managers, due to a lack of players. After initially retiring aged 42 in 2008, the former Manchester United striker is yet to play since re-registering.
Forty-nine-year-old Teddy Sheringham recently registered himself as a player for Stevenage, the club he managers, due to a lack of players. After initially retiring aged 42 in 2008, the former Manchester United striker is yet to play since re-registering.
Pete Norton/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Kazuyoshi Miura: Is "King Kazu" the world's oldest footballer?

Story highlights

Kazuyoshi Miura signs Yokohoma FC contract

New deal will see him play past age of 49

"King Kazu's" career has spanned 31 years

Scored 55 goals in 89 games for Japan

CNN  — 

With a nod to the saying “you’re only as old as you feel,” Japanese striker Kazuyoshi Miura continues to defy the aging process.

Known as “King Kazu” in his homeland, the Yokohama FC forward has signed a new one-year deal that will see him continue to play professional football past his 49th birthday, the Japanese club said Wednesday.

In a remarkable career that has spanned more than 30 years, Miura’s exploits have seen him play club football in South America, Europe, Australia and Asia.

“I’m thankful to the club staff and supporters who always offer me support,” Miura – often dubbed “the oldest footballer in the world” – told Kyodo News.

“I’ll continue to give everything I have and strive,” he added, after the club confirmed his new contract at 11:11 a.m. on Nov. 11 as a tribute to the striker’s shirt number.

Miura made his professional debut for Brazilian club side Santos as a 19-year-old in 1986, after moving to Brazil four years earlier to play youth football.

He managed an impressive 55 goals in 89 appearances for Japan, notching 14 in qualifying as he fired his country to the 1998 World Cup Finals in France.

The 48-year-old has three goals in 16 appearances this season, though he is currently sidelined with a thigh injury.

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