One of the longest careers in football has been extended after 50-year-old striker Kazuyoshi Miura renewed his contract with second-division J-League club Yokohama FC on Thursday.
Miura, who will turn 51 on Feb. 26, will enter his 33rd season this year.
Miura played in 12 league games last year and scored one goal, breaking his own record as the J-League's oldest scorer.
"I've signed a contract extension for this season. I will always play my heart out and hope to continue to grow [as a player]," Reuters reported Miura as telling the Kyodo news agency.
💪A month shy of 51 and still signing new contracts!
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) January 11, 2018
🇯🇵Kazuyoshi Miura is set to continue his record-breaking career with another season at Yokohama FC!
👑Incredibly, 'King Kazu' was part of the side which won @jfa_samuraiblue's first ever @afcasiancup... back in 1992! pic.twitter.com/osaU0OUSmL
Miura joined Yokohama FC in 2005 and became the oldest player to appear in a professional match at the age of 50 years and seven days last March, catching global media attention by surpassing England legend Stanley Matthews' longevity record.
Nicknamed "King Kazu," Miura played for Brazilian club Santos and in Italy with Genoa earlier in his career, and represented Japan's national team 89 times, scoring 55 goals.