World’s oldest footballer Kazuyoshi Miura who was rated better than Gary Lineker joins new club weeks before turning 55
THE WORLD’S oldest footballer Kazu Miura has signed for a new club at the age of 54.
The star, nicknamed ‘King Kazu’, will celebrate his 55th birthday next month by lining up for Suzuka Point Getters.
His new team finished 21 points adrift of Iwaki FC in Japan's fourth division last season.
Now they will be hoping that the veteran Miura can help fire them up the table after securing the services of the veteran.
Miura has moved to the minnows on loan from Yokohama, where he has played since 2005.
The icon originally shot to stardom in the early 90s when he trumped England legend Gary Lineker, who played for Grampus Eight, to the J-League's most valuable player award.
Miura made his senior debut way back in 1986 when Margaret Thatcher was still Prime Minister.
He started his career in Brazil at Santos, Palmeiras, Matsubara, CRB, Coritiba and Santos before heading to his homeland with Verdy Kawasaki.
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The forward bagged 117 goals in 192 appearances for Kawasaki and was named Asian Footballer of the Year in 1992 - beating LIneker to the prize.
That led to a move to Europe with Italian side Genoa followed by a switch to Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia until he returned to Japan in 1999 with Kyoto Sanga.
A five-year stint with Vissel Kobe followed before his move to Yokohama.
Despite only getting one minute of action last season as Yokohama were relegated, he made history with his cameo off the bench against Urawa Reds in March.
Aged 54 years and 12 days, it was enough to make him the world's oldest active player.
King Kazu is now preparing for his 37th season of professional football - and he plans to continue on until he is 60.
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