Cape Verde’s World Cup star goalkeeper Vozinha is set to join Chilean club Colo Colo. The 40-year-old will undergo medicals before his official presentation.
Vozinha’s move to Colo Colo
Vozinha, the Cape Verde goalkeeper, is set to join Chilean club Colo Colo. The 40-year-old, whose real name is Josimar Jose Evora Dias, will travel to Chile in the coming days for medical examinations before his official presentation at the Estadio Monumental. This information was confirmed by Colo Colo president Anibal Mosa, who stated, “Vozinha will be a Colo Colo player.” The club also hinted at the signing on social media by sharing an image featuring Vozinha’s distinctive curly hair.
The transfer marks a significant development for the experienced goalkeeper, who was a free agent after his contract with Portuguese second-division side Chaves expired. His performances during the recent World Cup garnered considerable attention, making him a sought-after player. Colo Colo, based in Santiago, currently leads Liga de Primera, Chile‘s top football division. At Colo Colo, Vozinha will play under Argentine manager Fernando Ortiz as the club prepares its squad for the upcoming Copa Libertadores.
World Cup impact and rising profile
Vozinha’s participation in the World Cup transformed his career trajectory. He entered the tournament without a club and with approximately 50,000 Instagram followers. Following his impressive displays, his social media following surged to over 29 million followers. His memorable moments included helping Cape Verde secure their first-ever World Cup point in a goalless draw against eventual champions Spain. In this match, he achieved a seven-save clean sheet, becoming the oldest goalkeeper to record a shutout in a World Cup debut.
Cape Verde, making their first appearance in the World Cup, advanced to the round of 32. There, they faced Argentina, taking the eventual runners-up into extra time before a 3-2 defeat. Vozinha made eight saves during this match. His overall tournament performance, which included 18 saves across four matches, earned him a spot in FIFA’s fan-selected World Cup dream team. Of these saves, 15 were against the two teams that reached the final.
Before agreeing to terms with Colo Colo, there were reports of interest from Major League Soccer, with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami reportedly among the clubs considering signing the Cape Verde international. However, the agreement with Colo Colo has brought an end to these speculations.
A career spanning continents
Vozinha’s football journey has taken him through various countries and clubs. After beginning his career in Cape Verde and Portugal, he played for Progresso in Angola, Zimbru in Moldova, Gil Vicente in Portugal, AEL Limassol in Cyprus, and AS Trencin in Slovakia. His move to Colo Colo will add Chile to this list, further expanding his career across multiple continents.
Despite representing Cape Verde since 2012 and accumulating 94 caps, Vozinha remained largely unknown outside his home country until his breakout performance at the World Cup. His adoption of the name Vozinha early in his career was to avoid sharing a name with a teammate, referencing a childhood nickname given by his grandparents. Colo Colo president Anibal Mosa acknowledged that Vozinha’s World Cup displays merited the move and that the signing also holds marketing appeal for the club.
Source: bbc.com
