Former Japan striker Kazuyoshi Miura speaks to the press in Shizuoka, central Japan, on Jan. 2, 2022. (Kyodo)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Kazuyoshi Miura, the oldest active player in Japanese professional soccer at 54, on Sunday confirmed reports that he will join a fourth-tier club managed by his older brother in his 37th professional season.

       "We have almost 100 percent agreed (on a contract). I think what the media have said will happen," Miura told reporters in Shizuoka, where he took part in a New Year's event for a local club with his brother Yasutoshi.

       Yasutoshi Miura, 56, is also the general manager of the Suzuka Point Getters in the Japan Football League, positioned below the three divisions of the J-League.

       In 2021, the forward known as "King Kazu" had only one minute of league action all season with Yokohama FC. In March he extended his record as the oldest player on a Japanese top-flight pitch at 54 years and 12 days. He turns 55 in February.

       Miura said last month that he was holding negotiations with eight teams interested in signing him.

       He started his career after signing for Club Atletico Juventus in Brazil in 1982 and earned 89 caps for the Japanese national team.

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