Vozinha, the goalkeeper who played a key role in Cape Verde's fairytale World Cup run, has delayed his arrival in Chile to sign for Colo Colo because of "personal matters," the club's sporting director said on Thursday.
Colo Colo president Anibal Mosa had announced the signing of the 40-year-old keeper last Friday, later saying he would arrive in Chile on Thursday.
The delay fueled speculation in the local press, with some reporting that Vozinha was also in talks with Moroccan club RS Berkane.
"An additional period has been requested to resolve some personal matters ... and we’ll surely have news soon regarding his travel schedule," Jaime Pizarro, Colo Colo’s sporting director, told reporters.
Pizarro said immigration procedures were also a factor in the delay and that the club had accepted Vozinha's requests "to allow him to attend to his needs".
Vozinha starred at the World Cup with heroic displays in a 0-0 group-stage draw against eventual champions Spain and in a 3-2 extra-time loss to finalists Argentina in the knock-out rounds.
The keeper, whose full name is Josimar Jose Evora Dias, will move to Chile from Chaves of the Portuguese second division. Although he did not sign his first professional contract until he was 26, he has also played in Cyprus, Slovakia, Moldova and Angola.
His performance at the World Cup earned him worldwide fame, and his Instagram account jumped from 50 000 followers to more than 29 million.