Vozinha, the 40-year-old goalkeeper who gained international acclaim during the recent World Cup with Cape Verde, has finally arrived in Chile. His long-awaited landing in Santiago on Sunday evening concludes a period of uncertainty marked by several logistical and personal setbacks that had previously stalled his move to Colo Colo.
The veteran shot-stopper touched down at the airport at 8:35 p.m., where he was greeted by a boisterous crowd of fans waving banners and chanting in his honor. Addressing the media upon his arrival, the goalkeeper expressed his gratitude, stating, “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.”
Colo Colo, the most successful club in Chile, originally announced the signing of Josimar Évora Dias—known globally as Vozinha—on July 24. His journey to the club was complicated by documentation issues and personal matters that forced three separate delays, heightening anxiety among the club’s supporters. The player is scheduled to undergo medical evaluations this Monday before finalizing a six-month contract, which includes an option for a 12-month extension.
The club expects their new signing to participate in his first training session on Tuesday, with an official presentation planned for the same day. In a unique development, the Chilean Football Federation voted unanimously last Friday to amend its league regulations, allowing the player to wear his famous nickname, “Vozinha”—which translates to “grandma” in Portuguese—on his jersey, overriding standard rules that typically mandate the use of surnames.
Vozinha’s rise to prominence was cemented during the World Cup, where he became the oldest player to debut in a national team’s first match at the tournament. He earned widespread praise for his performance against Spain, keeping the eventual champions scoreless, and for his heroics against Uruguay and Lionel Messi’s Argentina, the latter of which eliminated Cape Verde in the Round of 32. This success triggered a massive surge in his social media presence, with his Instagram following jumping from under 50,000 to more than 29.5 million.
For the Colo Colo faithful, the arrival of the former Chaves goalkeeper represents a significant boost to their domestic title push and future continental ambitions. “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,” noted 32-year-old supporter Marcos Antonio Barrera.
Reflecting the broader sentiment, fan Sebastián Paredes added, “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.”
Vozinha, the 40-year-old goalkeeper who made history with Cape Verde at the recently concluded World Cup, arrived in Chile on Sunday to join Colo Colo after a series of twists and turns that put his move in doubt.
The initial deal will run for six months, with an option to extend it for another 12.
The club also plans to officially present its marquee signing for the remainder of the season that same day.
Vozinha arrives in Chile after ending his spell with Chaves in Portugal’s second division.
