Vozinha Joins Colo Colo Following World Cup Best XI Selection

Goalkeeper Josimar Évora Dias, known as Vozinha, has officially signed with Chilean giants Colo Colo following a standout World Cup performance.

Josimar Évora Dias, the 40-year-old goalkeeper widely known as Vozinha, was officially unveiled by Colo Colo on Tuesday following a standout FIFA World Cup performance that earned him a spot in the tournament's Best XI. The Cape Verde international arrives at the Santiago-based club after his social media following surged from under 50,000 to nearly 30 million in a matter of weeks. This growth followed high-profile displays against global powerhouses Spain, Uruguay, and Argentina. The veteran shot-stopper landed at Santiago Airport on Sunday, passed his medical and signed his contract on Monday, and participated in his first training session with his new teammates on Tuesday.

Colo Colo, currently leading the Chilean league, announced the signing in late July. Vozinha could make his competitive debut this coming Sunday when the first-place side faces Unión La Calera. The move represents a significant step up for the goalkeeper, who most recently played for Chaves in the second tier of Portuguese football. Despite spending the majority of his career with smaller clubs in lower divisions, the Cape Verdean maintained at a Tuesday news conference that he always believed he belonged at a high-profile institution. He described the transition to the most successful club in Chile as the highlight of his club career.

Regulatory Exceptions and Jersey Monikers

Finalizing the transfer required a specific ruling from the Chilean Football Federation regarding jersey names. Standard league regulations mandate that players must display their legal surnames on their kits. However, the federation granted a special exception allowing the goalkeeper to use "Vozinha," a Portuguese nickname meaning "granny." The player expressed that the name holds deep historical significance in Cape Verde and serves as a tribute to his late grandmother. He intends to utilize the moniker for the remainder of his professional career.

Transfer Details and Selection Process

While Colo Colo was the goalkeeper's primary choice, he acknowledged receiving multiple other offers following his breakout performance on the world stage. He noted that the decision to join the Chilean side was clear from the first day of negotiations. The veteran player emphasized that the pressure of the World Cup, where he faced the highest-ranked national teams in the world, has prepared him for the expectations at a massive club with a rich history. He stated that while the World Cup was a career-defining event, his focus has now shifted entirely to achieving goals with his new South American team.

Career Trajectory and Global Recognition

Vozinha’s path to the Chilean top flight involved years of play in smaller leagues that he admitted were not "giants" of the sport. His recent tenure at Chaves preceded a transformation into a global sensation during the FIFA World Cup. By securing a position in the tournament's Best XI, he validated his self-assessment as a "big club" player. Fans greeted his arrival in Santiago with drums, flags, and signs, marking a stark contrast to his previous stints in lower-tier European football. He now joins a squad positioned at the top of the domestic standings, aiming to maintain the momentum gained from his recent international success.