Boreham Wood have agreed a record transfer for winger Abdul Abdulmalik, with Swedish club Djurgardens set to pay a fee reported to be over £1.5 million. This deal, reported by talksport.com on Tuesday, surpasses the previous National League record set when Leicester City signed Jamie Vardy from Fleetwood Town for £1 million in 2012. The Wood currently sit second in the National League table with 10 points from four games, just two points behind leaders Sutton United.
Abdul Abdulmalik, 23, joined Boreham Wood on a free transfer in the summer of 2024 after being released by Millwall, where he came through the youth system. He featured regularly as the club won promotion from the sixth-tier National League South in the 2024/25 season. Last campaign, he was instrumental in their run to the National League play-off final and their National League Cup triumph, scoring 17 goals and providing 10 assists in the league.
What does the record fee mean for Boreham Wood?
The reported fee of over £1.5 million represents a significant financial return for a club that signed the player for nothing two years ago. Chairman Danny Hunter had previously rejected a £1.5 million bid from Djurgardens, earning praise from Peterborough United's Darragh MacAnthony for his resolve. Hunter admitted frustration with the saga, stating the club had already lowered its valuation by £350,000 but would not go further. "At the moment, Abdul is refusing to train with us or play, though he is still very much our player and has two years left on his contract," Hunter said. The final agreement, reached this week, finally meets the club's set valuation.
How did Abdulmalik perform for the Wood?
Abdulmalik's impact was immediate and profound. After helping secure promotion, he became a central figure in the team's successful 2025/26 season. His 17 league goals and 10 assists were vital, and he scored in the National League play-off final at Wembley, though the Wood ultimately lost to Rochdale on penalties after leading 2-0. He also helped the club win the National League Cup, a tournament featuring National League teams and Premier League Under-21 sides. He started the current season in form, scoring in a 3-1 win over FC Halifax Town, before being left out of the squad for the Forest Green Rovers match amid the transfer talks.
What is next for Abdul Abdulmalik?
The winger is set to join one of Sweden's most successful clubs. Djurgardens currently sit fifth in the Allsvenskan, which runs from March to November, and remain in contention for European qualification next term. They most recently played in the 2024/25 UEFA Conference League. On Instagram, Abdulmalik posted about the proposed move, saying, "This is my chance to push myself as a footballer, elevate my game and most importantly fulfil my promise to the ones around me." His departure leaves a gap in the Boreham Wood attack, with the team having scored 11 goals in their opening four matches this season.
Where does this leave Boreham Wood now?
With the transfer saga concluded, attention returns to the pitch. The Wood's strong early-season form, detailed on our standings page, shows three wins and a draw from their first four games. They have a positive goal difference of +6, having scored 11 and conceded five. Manager Luke Garrard must now reorganise his squad without a player who contributed to 27 league goals last season. The funds from this historic sale provide a major boost for the club's budget as they aim to sustain a promotion challenge from their current position near the top of the table.
