One of the most surprising standout performers from the recent FIFA World Cup has secured a new club, as Cape Verde goalkeeper Josimar Dias — widely known by his nickname Vozinha — has signed an 18-month deal with Colo Colo, Chile’s most popular and successful professional soccer team.
At 40 years old, Vozinha became a global fan favorite and one of the most talked-about players of the entire tournament thanks to a series of extraordinary saves that frustrated elite soccer powerhouses. He put on dominant goalkeeping displays against eventual tournament champion Spain and defending World Cup title holder Argentina, turning away high-quality chances that cemented his reputation as one of the event’s biggest breakout talents.
Cape Verde, a small island nation off West Africa’s Atlantic coast, enjoyed an unexpected deep run in the tournament that captured global attention. Their journey ended in a tightly contested 3-2 extra-time defeat to Lionel Messi-led Argentina in the round of 32, but Vozinha’s individual performance drew widespread praise from pundits, players, and fans alike.
The 40-year-old entered the World Cup without a professional contract, but his viral tournament success quickly opened new opportunities. Colo Colo’s management confirmed the signing on Friday, making the announcement across the club’s official social media channels that immediately sparked widespread excitement. In a post welcoming the new signing, the club wrote, “Welcome. We’re waiting for you.”
The announcement resonated far beyond Colo Colo’s own fanbase, coming at a moment when Chilean soccer is still reeling from the men’s national team’s failure to qualify for its third consecutive World Cup. The signing of a globally recognized World Cup star has injected new energy into the country’s club soccer scene.
Aníbal Mosa, president of Blanco y Negro — the operating company that manages Colo Colo — confirmed the details of the transfer to local media. “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 stated, referring to the club’s 47,000-capacity home stadium in Santiago, Chile’s capital. Local Chilean sports outlets have confirmed the contract will run for 18 months.
Vozinha’s sudden rise to global fame has been reflected in his social media growth, which exploded during the tournament. His combined social media following jumped from just under 50,000 before the World Cup to nearly 29 million in the weeks following his standout performances, demonstrating the massive global audience that connected with the underdog goalkeeper’s unlikely story.