The much-anticipated transfer of Josimar Dias, known universally as Vozinha, to Chilean giants Colo Colo has stalled after the goalkeeper did not board a scheduled flight from Europe to Santiago. Club president Aníbal Mosa had announced the signing and stated the player would arrive on a Thursday evening, but Chilean media confirmed his absence from the Madrid connection, leaving the deal in a state of suspense. The club, which had teased the move with a social-media post featuring the player’s distinctive curls and the word “AURA”, now awaits a new itinerary.

Colo Colo’s sporting director, Jaime Pizarro, acknowledged the delay, explaining that the player had requested additional time to resolve personal situations. He noted that immigration formalities were also a factor, as Cape Verde lacks consulates and the goalkeeper, who is not a Portuguese national, has been completing paperwork in Portugal. Pizarro expressed hope that the matter would be settled within hours, but no firm arrival date has been set. The player’s representative, Bernardo Vasconcelos, attributed the postponement to a personal problem requiring a few days to sort out, after which Vozinha would report to the Chilean side.

Complicating the picture, reports from Portugal and Chile indicate that Moroccan club Renaissance Sportive Berkane have made a late approach. The African side recently appointed Bubista, who coached Cape Verde at the 2026 World Cup, as their manager, a development that could influence the goalkeeper’s decision. While Colo Colo had agreed a contract initially described as six months with an option for a further year, and later as running until December 2026 with a possible extension, the player has yet to sign. The club’s coach, Fernando Ortiz, has already cautioned that Vozinha would not be guaranteed a starting place and would have to prove himself in training against 19-year-old Gabriel Maureira.

Vozinha’s sudden fame stems from a remarkable World Cup campaign with Cape Verde, a nation of just over half a million people making its tournament debut. He kept a clean sheet against eventual champions Spain in a goalless draw and produced a series of saves in a narrow extra-time defeat to Argentina. His 18 saves in four matches, made behind a defence far weaker than Spain’s, earned him a global following; his Instagram following surged from 50,000 to over 29 million. Before the tournament, the 40-year-old had been without a club after his contract with Portuguese second-division side GD Chaves expired, having earlier worked as a refuse collector before turning professional in 2007.

For now, Colo Colo can only wait. The club, which failed to qualify for continental competition this season, had hoped the veteran goalkeeper would reinforce the squad for domestic campaigns. Vozinha remains in Portugal, and until he boards a plane, the transfer that seemed a formality after the club’s online fanfare will remain unresolved.