Veteran Cape Verde goalkeeper, Vozinha, signs with Colo-Colo, bolstering the Chilean team for the season.
Experienced 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha is Colo-Colo‘s newest reinforcement. After weeks of back-and-forth negotiations, the Cape Verde player officially signed with the Chilean club this Monday. The initial agreement is for six months, with the possibility of a one-year extension, indicating the board’s confidence in his potential.
Vozinha‘s arrival in Chile ends a period of uncertainty. The goalkeeper, who was one of the standout players at the last World Cup, had been in negotiations with Berkane from Morocco but opted to stick with the agreement with Colo-Colo. He landed in Santiago on Sunday and, after undergoing medical exams and visiting the Estadio Nacional, signed the contract.
Career and World Cup Highlight
Vozinha joins Colo-Colo at a high point for the club, which leads the Chilean Championship by a considerable margin. The goalkeeper had been without a club since his stint with Chaves in the Portuguese Second Division. However, his performance at the World Cup put him in the international spotlight.
Vozinha‘s stellar performance in Cape Verde‘s debut against Spain, which ended in a goalless draw, propelled him to global fame. The African nation, making its first appearance in a World Cup, surprised many by advancing to the second round, where they played an exciting match against Argentina, losing 3-2 in extra time.
Adaptation and Chilean Regulations
The warm reception at Santiago‘s airport, with a crowd awaiting the new reinforcement, demonstrates the anticipation surrounding Vozinha. However, the goalkeeper will face a unique aspect of Chilean regulations.
The ANFP (National Professional Football Association of Chile) prohibits the use of nicknames on jerseys. Thus, Josimar Évora Dias, the player’s birth name, will have to choose one of his surnames to display on his uniform, instead of the popular “Vozinha“.
The signing of an experienced player with recent international prominence like Vozinha represents a significant boost for Colo-Colo in the Chilean Championship race. Fans now await to see the magic promised on the club’s social media come to fruition on the field.
Equipe M360
