Boreham Wood accept Vardy-beating record fee for Abdulmalik

WHAT HAPPENED
Swedish side Djurgårdens have reached an agreement to sign 23-year-old winger Abdul Abdulmalik from Boreham Wood for a fee reported to be above £1.5m. The move — agreed on Sunday morning — is subject to a medical, which Abdulmalik is completing in Sweden.

If the reported fee is confirmed, it would set a new transfer record for a player moving from England’s fifth tier, surpassing the £1m paid for Jamie Vardy in 2012.

KEY CONTEXT
- Abdulmalik broke through in 2025-26, registering 17 goals and 10 assists as Boreham Wood reached the National League play-off final; he scored and provided a goal in that Wembley match.
- Boreham Wood had previously turned down offers of £1m and £1.5m for the former Millwall academy player earlier in the summer.
- The forward scored in his final appearance for Boreham Wood in mid-August, then made himself unavailable for selection while pursuing a transfer.
- Abdulmalik is a former England Under-17 international; he was released by Millwall in 2024 and had an unsuccessful trial at Portsmouth.
- Djurgårdens are based in Stockholm, sit fifth in the Allsvenskan (which runs April–November), and have two games in hand while remaining in contention for European qualification.

WHY IT MATTERS
The deal — reported to exceed £1.5m — would rewrite the transfer record for players moving from the National League, a sign of growing market value for standout performers at that level. For Boreham Wood, losing a player who contributed 17 goals and 10 assists will be a significant sporting and financial moment. For Djurgårdens, acquiring a player mid-season could influence their bid to secure a European qualifying spot given their current league position and games in hand.

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Completion of Abdulmalik’s medical in Sweden and any formal club announcement or registration details.
- How quickly he can be integrated into Djurgårdens’ squad and whether he features in their remaining Allsvenskan fixtures as they pursue European qualification.
- Whether any further details on the exact fee are disclosed by the clubs involved.

KEY FACTS
- Fee reported to be in excess of £1.5m; would be a new record for an English fifth-tier transfer.
- Abdul Abdulmalik, 23, scored 17 goals and made 10 assists in 2025–26.
- Boreham Wood rejected earlier bids of £1m and £1.5m this summer.
- Abdulmalik is in Sweden completing a medical after the deal was agreed.
- Djurgårdens are fifth in the Allsvenskan and have two games in hand.