By Chris Wright
Kazuyoshi Miura, seen here on the left right
Several outfield players have made it into their forties over recent years, but none have ventured as deep into the middle-aged wilderness as Japanese legend Kazuyoshi Miura, who is still plugging away at the ripe old age of 47 – putting the likes of Ryan Giggs, Javier Zanetti, Rivaldo et al to shame.
However, it’s been announced today that “King Kazu”, as he’s affectionately known in J League circles, has signed a new, one-year contract extension with J League Division 2 side Yokohama FC which will see the veteran striker play on well beyond his 48th birthday!
Kazu signed his first professional papers way back in the primordial mists of 1986, when he joined Brazilian side Santos as a 15-year-old.
What followed was a long, fairly nomadic career (in which he became the first Japanese player to play in both the Italian and Croatian top flights), also banging in 55 goals in 89 appearances for the Japanese national side as he went before eventually settling in at Yokohama in 2005.
The young King Kazu in action for Japan, circa May 1992
May his gods bless him, and all that sail upon him – the old, old bastard.