Boreham Wood accept Vardy-beating record fee for Abdulmalik

Swedish club Djurgarden have signed Abdul Abdulmalik from Boreham Wood for a National League record fee of an initial £1.5m.

The deal could rise beyond that figure through add-ons, while Boreham Wood have also secured a sell-on clause.

The transfer surpasses the previous fifth-tier record, set in 2012 when Leicester City paid Fleetwood Town £1m for Jamie Vardy.

Abdulmalik completed his medical in Sweden after the deal was agreed on Sunday morning.

The forward enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2025-26, scoring 17 goals and providing 10 assists as Boreham Wood reached the National League play-off final, where he scored and set up a goal at Wembley.

The agreement also brings to an end a long-running transfer saga, with the Hertfordshire club having rejected bids of £1m and £1.5m for the former Millwall academy player earlier this summer.

Abdulmalik said: "I'm ready for the next challenge. I'm ready to prove to myself and those around me that I'm capable of reaching the top."

He scored in his final appearance for Boreham Wood in mid-August but subsequently made himself unavailable for selection in an attempt to secure a move.

Clubs in England, including Peterborough United, had also expressed an interest.

Abdulmalik was previously an England Under-17 international but was released by Millwall in 2024 and had an unsuccessful trial at Portsmouth.

Stockholm-based Djurgarden are sixth in the Allsvenskan - which runs from April to November - but have two games in hand on several rivals and remain in contention to qualify for Europe.

Djurgarden football director Maximilian Hahn said: "Abdul brings exceptional skill, a dynamic attacking threat, and reliable output that will add a powerful new dimension to our attack. Off the pitch, his calm and positive personality makes him a perfect fit for our squad dynamics."