Santiago: Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha to join Chilean club Colo Colo

By Ananya Rao — 25 July 2026 — 3 min read

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 recent 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 the Santiago-based club.

Anibal Mosa, president of Colo Colo, confirmed the impending transfer, stating that Vozinha is expected to travel to Chile in the coming days. Upon arrival, he will undergo medical examinations before being officially presented at the Estadio Monumental. Mosa highlighted that Vozinha’s World Cup heroics justified the move and also offered marketing benefits for Colo Colo. The club currently holds the top position in Liga de Primera, Chile‘s premier football division.

The club hinted at the signing on social media, sharing an image that featured Vozinha’s distinctive curly hair. This transfer marks a significant development for the goalkeeper, who was without a club just prior to the international tournament.

World Cup Impact and Global Recognition

Vozinha became a prominent figure during the World Cup, particularly after Cape Verde, making their debut in the competition, secured their first-ever point with a goalless draw against Spain, who later became the champions. He was named to FIFA‘s fan-selected World Cup dream team, an accolade reflecting his impact on the tournament.

His performances continued to impress, notably in the round of 32 where Cape Verde faced Argentina. Despite a 3-2 extra-time loss to Lionel Messi and his team, Vozinha made eight saves in that match, earning praise from Messi himself. Across four matches, the veteran goalkeeper recorded 18 saves, with 15 of these coming against the two teams that reached the final. He also achieved a seven-save clean sheet against Spain, making him the oldest goalkeeper to record a shutout in a World Cup debut.

Before the World Cup, Vozinha had approximately 50,000 Instagram followers. Following his tournament success, his social media following surged to over 25 million, with one report indicating it reached over 29 million followers. This surge in popularity also led to speculation about a potential move to Major League Soccer, with Lionel Messi‘s Inter Miami reportedly among the clubs interested in his services. However, the agreement with Colo Colo has put an end to these rumours.

A Career Spanning Continents

Vozinha’s professional football career has seen him play in various countries across multiple continents. His journey began in Cape Verde and Portugal. He later moved to Angola, playing for Progresso. His career also took him to Moldova with Zimbru, back to Portugal with Gil Vicente, to Cyprus with AEL Limassol, and to Slovakia with AS Trencin.

The move to Colo Colo will add Chile to this extensive list of countries where he has played club football. He has represented Cape Verde internationally since 2012, accumulating 94 caps, though he remained largely unknown outside his home country until his recent World Cup heroics. At Colo Colo, Vozinha will play under Argentine manager Fernando Ortiz as the club prepares its roster for the upcoming Copa Libertadores, which is the South American equivalent of the UEFA Champions League.

The agreement with Colo Colo marks a new chapter for Vozinha, whose career has been significantly transformed by his performances on the global stage.

Source: bbc.com