Kazuyoshi Miura: King Kazu is a living legend & more than just a gimmick
At 54, King Kazu Miura is the world s oldest professional footballer | Masashi Hara/Getty Images
It has become an annual tradition. Every January, Japanese living legend Kazuyoshi Miura signs a new one-year contract to extend his career as the world’s oldest professional footballer.
2021 has been no exception and ‘King Kazu’ penned a fresh deal with Yokohama FC, the club he joined in 2005. Miura was in his late thirties then, a time when most players are either already retired or winding down their career. But he has gone on for another 16 years and counting.
53-year-old Kazuyoshi Miura continues to defy logic by signing new Yokohama FC contract
Kazuyoshi Miura is the world s oldest footballer | Masashi Hara/Getty Images
53-year-old Kazuyoshi Miura is not done with being a professional footballer just yet.
The former Japan international, who broke the great Stanley Matthews records for both the oldest goalscorer and player in a top national division, joined Yokohama FC in 2005 and has somehow managed to continue extending his contract year after year.
Miura has signed a new contract | Masashi Hara/Getty Images
He managed just 67 minutes of action in the J1 League last season, 42 fewer than he managed last year, but that hasn t scared Yokohama off. The club took to their official website to announce that Miura has been handed yet another one-year extension at Mitsuzawa Stadium.