Colo-Colo have officially confirmed the signing of veteran Cape Verdean goalkeeper Vozinha.
The 40-year-old, whose real name is Josimar José Evora Dias, arrives on a six-month deal with the option of a further one-year extension following a successful medical.
He is expected to immediately integrate into the squad, begin training, and don the number 29 jersey as Colo-Colo push to maintain their strong position in the Chilean top flight.
A Name, A Story, A Symbol
“Vozinha”, the moniker used by the Cape Verdean shot stopper, Jose Evora Dias, originated from his childhood.
Before even stepping onto the pitch, Vozinha’s arrival sparked an unusual debate in Chile.
League regulations initially cast doubt on whether he would be permitted to wear his well-known nickname on his shirt. However, following discussions and agreement among clubs, Colo-Colo secured approval for him to retain the name that has become synonymous with his career.
The nickname itself carries a deeply personal origin. “Vozinha,” meaning “little grandmother” in Portuguese, was given to him as a child after he would run home to his grandparents in tears following street football defeats. Over time, what began as playful teasing evolved into a symbol of identity, resilience, and emotional connection to his roots.
From Global Stage to Chilean Giants
Vozinha’s move to South America follows a remarkable surge in global recognition. Representing Cape Verde national team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he became one of the tournament’s breakout figures.
His performances between the posts were instrumental in guiding his nation beyond the group stage in their debut appearance.
Cape Verde held giants such as Spain national team and Uruguay national team to draws, before narrowly falling to Argentina national team in the knockout rounds.
Vozinha’s composure, reflexes, and leadership were central to that historic run.
The Cape Verdean national team celebrate a milestone: obtaining their first point in the FIFA World Cup after holding the to be World Champions Spain to a goalless draw.
His exploits did not go unnoticed off the pitch either. The goalkeeper experienced an extraordinary rise in popularity, with his social media following skyrocketing from around 50,000 to over 17 million in a matter of weeks.
Prior to this move, Vozinha built a well-traveled career across multiple leagues. He featured for GD Chaves in Portugal’s second division and gained further experience in Angola, Cyprus, Moldova, and Slovakia. Such a journey reflects not only adaptability but also longevity—qualities that continue to define him at 40.
His arrival at Colo-Colo brings not just goalkeeping ability, but leadership and composure that could prove invaluable in high-pressure moments.
Colo-Colo’s Ambition And Expectation
Estadio Monumental David Arellano, Colo Colo home ground.
Colo-Colo officially known as Club Social y Deportivo Colo-Colo, is a Chilean professional football club based in Macul, in the country’s capital city of Santiago. It plays it’s home game at the Estadio Monumental David Arellano, a stadium with over 45,000 seater erected in 1989.
The club competes in the Liga Primera(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_de_Primera), Chilean first division football league.
Colo-Colo has won 34 Primera División de Chile titles, more than any other Chilean club and a record fourteen Copa Chile titles and are regarded as the most successful club in Chile.
The club has never been relegated from top flight football. Last season, they finished 8th in the league, their second worst season, only after 2020/2021, where they finished 16th in the league, barely managing to survive relegation.
The potential debut of Vozinha against O’Higgins FC on August 16 adds further intrigue as the club looks to maintain momentum as top finishers in the league.
Your email will not be published. Comments go to moderation before appearing. Please keep discussions respectful and on-topic.