Santiago’s Colo Colo to sign Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha
Vozinha’s Journey to Colo Colo
Vozinha, the Cape Verde goalkeeper, is set to join Chilean club Colo Colo following his notable performances at the World Cup. The 40-year-old, whose real name is Josimar Jose Evora Dias, arrived at the tournament as a free agent after his contract with Portuguese second-division side Chaves concluded. His World Cup displays garnered significant attention, leading to this agreement with Colo Colo.
Anibal Mosa, president of Colo Colo, confirmed the impending transfer, stating that Vozinha will travel to Chile in the coming days. Upon arrival, he is expected to undergo medical examinations before his official presentation at the Estadio Monumental. Mosa highlighted that Vozinha’s World Cup heroics justified the move, also acknowledging the marketing appeal the signing brings to the club.
The club, based in Santiago, currently leads the Liga de Primera, Chile’s top football division. Although the transfer is not yet finalised, Colo Colo hinted at the signing on social media, sharing an image featuring Vozinha’s distinctive curly hair. This move will add Chile to the list of countries where Vozinha has played club football, which includes Slovakia, Angola, Moldova, Cyprus, and Portugal.
Before the World Cup, Vozinha had approximately 50,000 followers on Instagram. After the tournament, his social media following grew significantly, reaching over 25 million according to one report, and over 29 million according to another. His performances also earned him a spot in FIFA’s fan-selected World Cup dream team.
World Cup Impact and Career Turnaround
Vozinha’s journey from being a clubless free agent to a highly sought-after goalkeeper marks an extraordinary turnaround. Cape Verde, making their debut at the World Cup, achieved their first-ever point in the tournament by holding eventual champions Spain to a goalless draw. Vozinha’s seven-save clean sheet in this match made him the oldest goalkeeper to record a shutout in a World Cup debut.
Cape Verde, the second smallest nation to ever participate in the World Cup finals, advanced to the round of 32. In this stage, they faced Argentina, who were the tournament holders and went on to reach another final. Vozinha registered eight saves during the match, which Cape Verde ultimately lost 3-2 in extra time. His efforts in the tournament garnered praise from figures such as Lionel Messi.
The goalkeeper’s international career with Cape Verde began in 2012, and he has accumulated 94 caps for his national team. Despite his extensive international experience, he remained largely unknown outside his home country until his breakout performances at the global tournament. His professional journey has seen him play for clubs such as Progresso in Angola, Zimbru in Moldova, Gil Vicente in Portugal, AEL Limassol in Cyprus, and AS Trencin in Slovakia.
Ending Transfer Speculation
The agreement with Colo Colo concludes speculation regarding Vozinha’s next club. During the summer transfer window, there were persistent reports linking him with a move to Major League Soccer, with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami reportedly among the interested clubs. However, Vozinha has now settled on terms with the Chilean side.
At Colo Colo, Vozinha will play under Argentine manager Fernando Ortiz. The club is currently building its roster in preparation for the upcoming Copa Libertadores, which is the South American equivalent of the UEFA Champions League. This transfer represents another significant chapter in Vozinha’s career, which has been transformed by his performances at the World Cup.
Vozinha adopted his professional name early in his career to avoid sharing a name with a teammate, referencing a childhood nickname given to him by his grandparents.
Source: bbc.com
