Boreham Wood winger Abdul Abdulmalik has joined Swedish Allsvenskan club Djurgardens in a transfer that sets a new National League record. The deal, confirmed on Sunday morning, is reported by ozarab.media to be worth more than £1.5 million, eclipsing the previous benchmark.
Abdulmalik, 23, is currently in Sweden finalising his medical. His departure is a significant moment for a Boreham Wood side that sits second in the National League, just two points behind leaders Sutton United with 10 points from four games. The club's strong start, featuring three wins and a draw, is built on an attack that has scored 11 goals this season.
What does the record fee mean for Boreham Wood?
The fee received for Abdul Abdulmalik surpasses the £1 million Leicester City paid Fleetwood Town for Jamie Vardy in 2012. Boreham Wood had already turned down bids of £1 million and £1.5 million for their star player earlier this summer, demonstrating their resolve to secure maximum value. This substantial incoming sum provides the club with considerable financial flexibility as they aim to sustain their promotion push. You can track the ongoing title race on our standings page.
This record deal is a direct result of Abdulmalik's outstanding 2025-26 campaign. He scored 17 goals and provided 10 assists, driving Boreham Wood to the National League play-off final at Wembley. He found the net and created another goal in that final, though the team narrowly missed promotion to League Two. The club also secured the National League Cup last season, capping a memorable year.
How did Abdulmalik's move develop?
The winger made his desire for a new challenge clear after scoring in his final appearance for the club in mid-August. He subsequently made himself unavailable for selection while seeking a transfer. English clubs, including Peterborough United, showed interest, but the concrete offer came from Djurgardens. The Stockholm-based club are fifth in the Allsvenskan and chasing European qualification, offering Abdulmalik the platform he sought. "He was ready for the next challenge and wanted to prove he was capable of reaching the top," Abdulmalik said.
Abdulmalik's journey to this point has not been straightforward. A former Millwall academy player and England Under-17s international, he was released by Millwall in 2024 and had an unsuccessful trial at Portsmouth before finding his form at Boreham Wood. His resurgence has now been rewarded with a landmark move abroad.
What is next for Boreham Wood?
With Abdulmalik's transfer complete, the focus shifts to how Boreham Wood will reinvest and adapt. The squad, which has conceded only five goals in four league games, must now find a way to maintain its offensive output. Manager Luke Garrard has resources to work with following the record sale. The team's immediate challenge is to close the two-point gap at the top of the table, and fans can follow the upcoming matches on our fixtures schedule. While losing a key player is a blow, the record fee and the club's strong early-season position provide a solid foundation for the campaign ahead.
