Cape Verde’s World Cup hero, Josimar Dias—popularly known as Vozinha—has officially completed a transfer to Chilean powerhouse Colo-Colo. The 40-year-old goalkeeper earned the high-profile move following a series of stellar performances that helped his national team capture global attention on football’s biggest stage.
Vozinha became an internet sensation during Cape Verde’s historic World Cup campaign, anchoring a defense that defied expectations and advanced past the group stage. The island nation recorded impressive draws against former champions Spain and Uruguay, alongside a deadlock with Saudi Arabia, to secure second place in Group H before a narrow round-of-32 exit to Argentina.
A Long-Awaited Dream at the Club Level
For Vozinha, joining the 34-time Chilean top-flight champions represents the pinnacle of a long journey across global football. He makes the transition from Portuguese second-tier side Chaves, adding Colo-Colo to a career path that previously included stints in Angola, Cyprus, Moldova, and Slovakia.
Speaking to reporters following the announcement, the veteran goalkeeper shared his reaction to joining one of South America’s most storied institutions.
“Despite playing in smaller leagues for clubs that weren’t exactly giants, deep down I always told myself I was a ‘big club’ player,” Vozinha said. “So when Colo-Colo came calling, there was no doubt. From day one, I knew where I wanted to play. I received many offers, but Colo-Colo was always the priority.”
Turning World Cup Success into the Next Chapter
While Cape Verde’s run into the knockout rounds marked a milestone for the country’s football history, Vozinha is already focused on his new challenge in South America.
“The World Cup was the best thing that ever happened to me in football, but that is in the past now,” he added. “Being here representing Colo-Colo — a massive club with a rich history — is the highlight of my club career.”
With the transfer finalized, the veteran stopper turns his attention to securing the starting spot for the Santiago-based club as they pursue further domestic and continental success.
