Cape Verde’s Vozinha said he always thought he was a big-club player after signing with Chile’s Colo Colo despite playing the most of his career at smaller clubs. Vozinha hogged the limelight after his stunning performance for the African country in the recently concluded FIFA World Cup.

Cape Verde’s goalkeeper made a brilliant start to the quadrennial tournament, making seven saves against eventual champions Spain in the team’s opening Group stage match. Cape Verde was the only team, which Spain could not beat in the tournament.

On Tuesday, Vozinha was unveiled by Colo Colo, which is Chile’s most successful club.

“The decision was very clear. Despite playing in smaller leagues for clubs that weren’t exactly giants, deep down I always told myself I was a ‘big club’ player,” Vozinha said at a news conference. “So when Colo Colo came calling, there was no doubt.”

The 40-year-old goalkeeper said that the Chilean club was always his first choice despite receiving other offers.

“From day one, I knew where I wanted to play. I received many offers, but Colo Colo was always the priority,” said Josimar Évora Dias, widely known as Vozinha — a nickname that means “granny” in Portuguese.

According to Chilean football rules, players must wear their legal surnames on their jerseys. Vozinha expressed his delight after Chilean Football Federation’s decided to grant a special exception to him.

“It is the name I have used my entire life. In Cape Verde, it holds great significance and a rich history, and now it does globally as well,” he said. “If my grandmother were alive today, I think she would be proud. I hope to keep using it for the rest of my career as a tribute.”

The veteran is looking forward to the next chapter in his football career.

“The World Cup was the best thing that ever happened to me in football, but that is in the past now. Being here representing Colo-Colo — a massive club with a rich history — is the highlight of my club career,” he added.