Popular Cape Verde goalkeeper forced to ditch iconic 'Vozinha' nickname in fresh signing

Cape Verde veteran goalkeeper Vozinha has completed a move to Chilean giants Colo-Colo, but fans hoping to buy a jersey bearing his famous nickname could be disappointed due to league regulations.

The club confirmed the signing of the experienced shot-stopper, whose full name is Josimar Jose Evora Dias.

The 40-year-old joined as a free agent after his previous contract expired and is reported to have signed an 18-month deal.

His arrival brings experience to one of South America's most successful clubs. Colo-Colo have won 34 Chilean top-flight titles and one Copa Libertadores trophy.

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Vozinha is best known for his performances with Cape Verde, where his reflexes and match-saving interventions earned him widespread recognition.

The nickname "Vozinha" has since become the name most football fans associate with the goalkeeper.

However, Chilean Primera Division regulations prohibit players from wearing nicknames on the back of their shirts.

Instead, players must use one or both of their surnames, with the option of adding an initial.

Breaching the rule results in an automatic yellow card for the player, while the club is also fined.

As a result, supporters are likely to see "Evora", "Dias", or "Evora Dias" on his shirt instead of the widely recognised "Vozinha."

According to The Sun, there is only one way the nickname could appear on his jersey. Colo-Colo president Anibal Mosa would have to persuade the league's Council of Presidents to unanimously approve an amendment to the regulation.

Such approval is considered unlikely, meaning Vozinha is expected to begin the new Chilean Primera Division season wearing one of his surnames rather than the nickname that made him famous.