Cape Verde international goalkeeper Vozinha has arrived in Santiago, Chile, to complete his transfer to Colo-Colo. The 40-year-old, whose full name is Josimar Evora Dias, was greeted by numerous supporters at the airport. His arrival follows a series of delays attributed to documentation issues and personal matters.
Colo-Colo had officially announced the signing of Vozinha on July 24 from Portuguese second-tier club Chaves. However, his expected arrival was postponed on three separate occasions, leading to uncertainty regarding the transfer.
Arrival and Fan Reception
Upon landing in Chile on Sunday evening, Vozinha was met by hundreds of enthusiastic fans carrying flags, banners, and drums. He expressed his appreciation for the patience shown by the Colo-Colo supporters.
Local journalists in Chile reported Vozinha’s excitement, quoting him as saying, “I’m very happy to be here. And I want to thank the fans for the patience they’ve shown while waiting for me. See you at the Monumental Stadium.”
The goalkeeper’s move to South America has generated considerable interest in Chile, particularly as the national team did not qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.
Vozinha is scheduled to undergo medical examinations on Monday. Following these, he is expected to sign an initial six-month contract, which includes an option for an additional 12 months. Colo-Colo management plans to officially present him to the public on Tuesday, coinciding with his first training session.
Impact and Club Ambitions
Vozinha’s performances during the 2026 World Cup significantly boosted his profile. He gained millions of social media followers after helping Cape Verde keep eventual champions Spain scoreless in their opening match and making several saves against Argentina in the round of 32.
The Chilean Football Federation made a special amendment to its jersey regulations to allow Vozinha to wear his moniker, a nickname that means “grandma” in Portuguese and honours the woman who raised him. This decision was made despite regulations from the Chilean National Association of Professional Football (ANFP) typically requiring players to use their surname.
His signing is anticipated to strengthen Colo-Colo’s position at the top of the Chilean Premier Division and support their continental aspirations for the next season’s Copa Libertadores. A club supporter, Marcos Antonio Barrera, shared his enthusiasm, stating, “I’m excited. And if Colo Colo wins the title, next year comes the Copa Libertadores, which makes everything even more exciting for all of Chile and South America.”
Another supporter, Sebastian Paredes, expressed his hopes for Vozinha’s contribution, saying, “The Colo Colo family and all of Chile are eagerly waiting. Now he has to earn his place at Colo Colo through talent, dedication, hard work, commitment, and by winning over the fans. Hopefully, he’ll be a great signing and help put Chile on the map.”
Previous Delays and Other Interest
Prior to his arrival, reports from Brazilian journalist Raphael Bózeo suggested that Vozinha was in advanced talks with Moroccan club RS Berkane. These reports indicated that the goalkeeper might be considering a move to Morocco, potentially reuniting with Cape Verde coach Bubista, who was reportedly close to being appointed by RS Berkane.
Colo-Colo chief executive Jaime Pizarro had previously attributed the delays to personal matters and outstanding travel documents, noting that Vozinha had travelled from Cape Verde to Lisbon to complete administrative procedures. Despite the uncertainty, Colo-Colo had sought and received special permission for Vozinha to use his nickname on his shirt, a decision that would have been irrelevant if he had joined RS Berkane.
The “Vozinha effect” has already been observed in Chile, with Colo-Colo gaining nearly 70,000 followers across its social media platforms since the announcement of his signing. Supporter Héctor Hermosilla noted, “The whole world is getting to know Colo Colo better. The world’s cameras will be on Vozinha and that’s going to be good for the club.”
Vozinha is scheduled to undergo medical examinations on Monday.
Source: goal.com
