Santiago: Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha to join Co...

By Rohan Gupta — 25 July 2026 — 3 min read

Vozinha’s Move to Colo Colo

Vozinha, the goalkeeper for Cape Verde, is set to join Chilean club Colo Colo. This move comes after his notable performances during the recent World Cup. The Colo Colo president, Anibal Mosa, confirmed the signing, stating that Vozinha will travel to Chile for medical examinations before his official presentation at the Estadio Monumental.

The 40-year-old goalkeeper was without a club when he went to the World Cup, as his contract with Portuguese second division team Chaves had expired. Despite this, he gained significant attention for his play, particularly in a goalless draw against Spain, who were the eventual champions of the tournament.

Mosa highlighted that Vozinha’s World Cup displays were a key factor in the decision to sign him, noting both his sporting form and the marketing appeal he brings to the club. Colo Colo, based in Santiago, currently leads the Liga de Primera, Chile’s top football division.

World Cup Impact and Rising Popularity

Vozinha’s performances at the World Cup turned him into a fan favourite. He became a cult hero and saw his social media following increase significantly, reportedly from around 50,000 to nearly 30 million within a few weeks, partly due to backing from Brazilian content creator Casimiro. The club even teased his signing on social media with an image featuring his distinctive curly hair.

Cape Verde, one of the smallest nations to participate in the World Cup finals, achieved their first-ever World Cup point against Spain in the group stage. They progressed to the round of 32, marking the national team’s best achievement in its history. In this stage, they narrowly lost 3-2 to Argentina after extra time, a team that began the tournament as holders and reached another final.

During the match against Argentina, Vozinha made several remarkable saves, including denying Lionel Messi on multiple occasions. Cape Verde defender Pico Lopes praised Vozinha’s quality, calling him a legend in Cape Verdean football. Vozinha himself commented after the defeat that Cape Verde had “dignified” their national team globally and fought on equal terms against Argentina.

Career Path and Future Chapter

Born Josimar José Évora Dias, Vozinha’s professional career began when he signed his first contract at the age of 26. He has played for clubs in various countries, including Slovakia, Angola, Moldova, Cyprus, and Portugal. His previous clubs include AS Trencin, AEL Limassol, Gil Vicente, Zimbru Chisinau, and Progresso, in addition to Chaves.

His career has largely involved free transfers. Despite reports of a market value around €500,000, all his professional moves have occurred without a transfer fee. This move to Colo Colo as a free agent follows weeks of speculation that linked him with a potential transfer to Inter Miami in the United States, where he could have played alongside Lionel Messi. However, he ultimately chose Colo Colo.

With 92 international appearances since his debut for Cape Verde in 2012, Vozinha is now embarking on a new phase of his career with Colo Colo. He aims to build upon the global recognition he gained from his inspiring performances at the World Cup.

Source: bbc.com