25 Jul 2005(Mon)

JULY 22 -- And so, another chapter has opened in the colourful story of the charismatic Kazuyoshi Miura.

His transfer from Vissel Kobe to Yokohama FC looks like a smart move for both parties, meaning Kazu and Yokohama FC (and probably Vissel, too, actually).

Obviously he was finished at Kobe, and had the sense and the pride to realise this.

With Kobe at the bottom of the J1 table, he decided to drop down to J2 and shift roots from Kansai to Kanagawa.

Although I have no idea how much Kazu will be earning at Yokohama FC -- and, to be honest, don't actually care -- I am sure he will provide value for money.

He will bring in the crowds around J2, and will set an example to the younger players at the club with his work ethic and his professionalism.

Around the J.League, you will never hear a bad word against Kazu, as he has remained a model professional, training hard and looking after himself off the pitch.

The legs may be slower than the glory years, but the mind is just as quick and the sense of responsibility just as strong...to his team-mates, to his club and, above all, to himself.

Not that long ago I went to watch Vissel play at Omiya. Kobe lost easily, and it proved to be the last game in charge for Emerson Leao.

After the game I was waiting outside the main entrance to try and interview Mikitani-san about Vissel's desperate plight.

Before he emerged, Kazu walked past -- and there was no denying the man remains an icon.

The Omiya fans could not believe how close they were to this living legend -- which he is in Japan -- and, old and young, they took photo after photo as he made his way through the crowd.

With this enduring star appeal and personality, Kazu will provide a boost for his new team in particular and for J2 in general in the coming months.

Kazu and Shoji up front?

That sounds familiar, doesn't it?

ends