Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has arrived in Chile to begin a new chapter with Colo-Colo after becoming one of the World Cup’s biggest social-media figures.
The 40-year-old completed his medical examination and agreed a six-month deal with the Chilean club on Monday. The contract includes an option to add a further year, and he is due to join training today.
He could make his Colo-Colo debut on August 16 against O’Higgins, with the club aiming to protect its substantial advantage at the top of the Chilean Premier Division.
World Cup breakthrough
Vozinha played a central part in Cape Verde’s first appearance at the World Cup. The island nation advanced from its group at the tournament in North America before suffering a narrow defeat by Argentina in the last 32.
Cape Verde drew with eventual champions Spain and two-time world winners Uruguay during the group stage, while Vozinha’s performances helped drive the team’s historic campaign.
His display against Spain during the opening week of the tournament in June transformed his online profile. The goalkeeper’s Instagram following rose from approximately 50,000 people to about 17.4 million.
Permission to use his nickname
Colo-Colo received approval on Friday for the goalkeeper to wear “Vozinha” on his shirt. His registered name is Josimar Jose Evore Dias, and regulations in Chile generally prohibit players from using football nicknames on their kits.
The prospect of him being prevented from displaying the name used on his World Cup jersey ultimately caused fewer problems than expected, after other Chilean clubs backed Colo-Colo’s request.
“Vozinha” translates from Portuguese as “little grandmother”. He was given the nickname by older children during his boyhood because he would cry after losing street-football matches and then run home to the grandparents he lived with.
Club career
Before moving to Colo-Colo, the goalkeeper represented Portuguese second-tier club Chaves. His career has also taken him to teams in Angola, Cyprus, Moldova and Slovakia.
