Vosinha set to join Colo-Colo as Cape Verde World Cup hero nears historic move to Chilean football

Colo-Colo president Anibal Mosa has confirmed that Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha is on the verge of signing for the Chilean league leaders on a free transfer.

The 40-year-old, who shone at the 2026 World Cup, is expected to arrive in Chile within days to complete a medical before being unveiled at Estadio Monumental.

“Vozinha will become a Colo-Colo player. He will arrive in Chile in the coming days, will undergo the medical tests and will be presented at the Monumental stadium,” Mosa told Reuters.

Colo-Colo have already published an image on their official channels announcing that the Cape Verde international is close to joining the club.

If the move is finalised, Vozinha will become only the eighth African footballer ever to play in Chile’s domestic competitions.

Eighth African to play in Chile

The veteran keeper would follow in the footsteps of seven Africans who have previously featured in Chilean football: Cameroon’s Anthony Hila, Nigeria’s Excel Oguodo, Cameroon’s Luc Bissala, Cameroon’s Francis Messi, Mauritania’s Doudou Toure, Nigeria’s Felix Aboagye and Ivory Coast’s Franck Ahouli.

Vozinha, who made his name in Europe and on the international stage, enhanced his reputation at the 2026 World Cup, where he helped Cape Verde reach the round of 32.

Cape Verde progressed from the group stage for the first time in their history after drawing all three of their matches and finishing second behind Spain, before their run ended in the first knockout round.

World Cup surge and social media rise

The goalkeeper’s performances in the tournament proved a turning point in his profile off the pitch as well as on it.

Vozinha began the World Cup with around 50,000 followers on Instagram, but that number surged to nearly 29 million by the time Cape Verde were eliminated, fuelled by widespread support and attention on social media.

He received significant backing from fans throughout the competition and was considered one of the biggest beneficiaries of the World Cup’s social media frenzy.

From Chaves to Chile amid Inter Miami links

Vozinha’s most recent club spell was with Portuguese side Chaves, where he spent two seasons before becoming a free agent.

His impending move to Colo-Colo comes at a time when he had also been linked with a transfer to MLS club Inter Miami, but the Chilean giants now appear to have won the race for his signature.

Colo-Colo currently sit top of the Chilean Primera Division table with 39 points, seven clear of their nearest challengers after 16 rounds of the season.

The arrival of the vastly experienced Cape Verde international would add further depth and profile to the Santiago club as they look to consolidate their domestic dominance in the second half of the campaign.