World Cup star Vozinha joins Chilean giants Colo Colo

Cape Verde goalkeeper, Josimar Dias, popularly known as Vozinha, has signed for Chilean football giants Colo Colo following his standout performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 40-year-old shot-stopper became one of the tournament’s breakout stars after producing a series of impressive displays against eventual champions Spain and defending champions Argentina.

Although the transfer is yet to be formally completed, Colo Colo teased the signing with an image appearing to show the veteran goalkeeper’s trademark curly hair.

“Bienvenido. Welcome. Bem-vindo. We look forward to seeing you at the Monumental Stadium,” the club wrote on its social media platforms on Friday.

The announcement generated excitement among Colo Colo supporters and Chilean football fans, whose national team failed to qualify for a third consecutive FIFA World Cup.

Reuters reported on Saturday that Aníbal Mosa, president of Blanco y Negro, the company that manages Colo Colo, confirmed that Vozinha would travel to Chile in the coming days to complete the move.

“Vozinha is going to be a Colo Colo player. In the next few days, he will travel to Chile, undergo the necessary medical examinations, and then be presented here at the Estadio Monumental,” Mosa was quoted as saying.

He added the goalkeeper’s World Cup performances earned him the move, while acknowledging that the signing would also boost the club’s commercial appeal.

Vozinha, who left Portuguese second-tier side Chaves before the World Cup, was voted into FIFA’s fan-selected World Cup Dream Team after helping tournament debutants Cape Verde hold eventual champions Spain to a goalless draw and pushing eventual runners-up Argentina into extra time in the Round of 32.

The veteran goalkeeper captained Cape Verde to an impressive tournament debut before the African side exited after a 3-2 extra-time defeat to Argentina in the Round of 32.

His exploits at the World Cup also brought him widespread global attention, with his social media following rising from fewer than 50,000 before the tournament to nearly 29 million.