Cape Verde Goalkeeper Vozinha Joins Chilean Giant Colo Colo

Josimar Évora Dias, the 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper known as “Vozinha,” has completed a move to Colo Colo, Chile’s most successful club. After a career largely spent in lower-division sides—including a recent stint with Chaves in Portugal’s second tier—he signed following his standout performance at the FIFA World Cup. The signing was announced in late July, with the player arriving in Santiago, passing his medical, and joining training ahead of a potential debut against Unión La Calera.

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Vozinha’s World Cup showing, which earned him a place in the tournament’s Best XI, raised his profile dramatically. Performances against Spain, Uruguay and Argentina turned him into a global sensation, expanding his social-media following from under 50,000 to nearly 30 million within weeks. The exposure has positioned him as a marquee acquisition for Colo Colo as the club seeks to maintain its league-leading status.

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Chile’s football regulations require players to display their legal surnames on jerseys. Because “Vozinha” is a nickname rather than his legal surname, the Chilean Football Federation granted a special exemption, allowing him to keep the moniker on his kit. The goalkeeper expressed frustration at the prospect of abandoning the name but welcomed the exception, noting its personal and cultural significance.

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Colo Colo’s management highlighted the signing as a strategic boost to the squad’s experience and marketability. The club’s spokesperson emphasized that Vozinha’s World Cup pedigree aligns with the team’s ambition to dominate domestically and compete internationally. Vozinha reiterated his commitment to the club, describing the move as the highlight of his club career and emphasizing a focus on hard work to help the team achieve its goals.

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• “The decision was very clear. Despite playing in smaller leagues for clubs that weren't exactly giants, deep down I always told myself I was a 'big club' player,” — Vozinha

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• “From day one, I knew where I wanted to play. I received many offers, but Colo Colo was always the priority,” — Josimar

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• “I played against the best national teams in the world, and now I just want to work hard and help this team achieve its goals," Vozinha said.” — Vozinha

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