Jamie Vardy’s transfer record has been broken after 14 years as Boreham Wood accept a bid for Abdul Abdulmalik, an initial £1.5m.
BBC Sport report that the figure could increase via add-ons, with Boreham Wood also having a sell-on clause for the 23 year old, who will be presented by Djurgardens for their game against Mjallby on Monday.
The transfer surpasses the previous National League record, which was set back in 2012 when Leicester City paid £1million to Fleetwood Town for Jamie Vardy.
Boreham Wood FC can confirm that Abdul Abdulmalik has departed the club to join Djurgårdens IF.
We would like to thank Abdul for his time with the Wood and wish him the very best of luck in his career.
🎨 @JackPatmore_ #WeAreTheWood pic.twitter.com/n9EBJHRuqJ
— Boreham Wood FC (@boreham_woodfc) August 30, 2026
What a journey it’s been! 🤍🖤
From signing with the Wood in 2024 to celebrating promotion the following year.
You quickly became a fan favourite, lifting the stands every time you got on the ball. You became a huge part of this club, and it’s been an absolute pleasure to be… pic.twitter.com/UNKFKpC2w3
— Boreham Wood FC (@boreham_woodfc) August 30, 2026
Boreham Wood said in a statement on their website: “Boreham Wood FC can confirm that one of its favourite sons, Abdul Abdulmalik, has departed the club to join Swedish Premier League side Djurgårdens IF on a permanent transfer.
“Abdul joined the Wood in July 2024 as a free agent, having learnt his trade and progressed through the ranks at Millwall. He made his debut for the club against Weymouth on 24th August 2024, before opening his account a month later in a 6-0 victory over Welling United, where he proved a constant menace after coming off the bench.
“Becoming increasingly involved as the campaign progressed, the winger came on leaps and bounds over his two years in a Wood shirt. He also played a key role in helping Boreham Wood secure an immediate return to the National League after relegation, bouncing back at the first time of asking.
“On 28th April 2025, he was rewarded with a new, improved contract, keeping him at Meadow Park until 2027, with an option for a further year.
“The 2025/26 season saw ‘Abs’ cement his reputation as one of the league’s most feared attacking players, as he claimed the National League Player of the Month award in October, with his excellent form continuing throughout the campaign.
“Abdul’s flair, drive and finishing were all on display a month later, when he produced one of the goals of his career to date against Aldershot Town; a goal which Abdul described as his “favourite moment at the club, alongside the Dorking play-off game for other reasons!”
“Starring throughout our 2025/26 National League play-off campaign, Abdulmalik scored the opener in a 2-1 victory away at Carlisle United in a high-stakes National League play-off semi-final, sending the Wood through to Wembley.
“Abdulmalik then excelled in the play-off final, displaying his trickery and pace with an unbelievable run before providing the assist for Matt Rush to open the scoring. He then topped off the performance with a goal of his own, although it wasn’t to be for the Wood, as we eventually suffered defeat on penalties.
“In his final full season at the club, Abdul Abdulmalik earned himself a place in the hearts of all Wood supporters and in the National League ‘Team of the Season’. Offering bundles of excitement, energy, and flair, in truth, Abdul Abdulmalik has lit up the Meadow Park turf and made a lasting impression on the pitch to all who saw him play live.”
Reflecting on his time in WD6, Abdulmalik said his stay with Boreham Wood was… “Special. The club means a lot to me because of how I’ve been supported here by fans, players and staff. Something I didn’t expect was to make as many great connections with staff and teammates who are either still at the club or have left, it really is a great place”.
On the relationship he has built with the Wood manager and fans, Abdul said: “The support I was shown allowed me to express myself so freely on the pitch and produce memorable moments, and I can’t thank them enough. My relationship with the supporters was good, I’d say. We’d interact in the ‘Glass House’ sometimes and have positive conversations. I enjoyed playing in front of you all and I wish the club all the best. I can’t wait to see the club in the EFL and progress as far as they can. Best wishes, AA10.”
Chairman Danny Hunter said: “Everyone at Boreham Wood FC would like to thank Abdul for his efforts during his time at the club. He got everyone out of their seats when he got on the ball, and we wish him the very best of luck as he embarks on a new and very exciting adventure in Sweden.”
Manager Luke Garrard said: “I want to wish Abdul the best of luck in his new adventure. He’s someone I have had the privilege of working with closely over the last couple of years and I can genuinely say he’s special.
We have all witnessed his brilliance on the pitch and I can envisage him doing it at the top of the game. I will follow his journey with fondness and look forward to him progressing and delivering on the big stage.
Huge good luck Abs, don’t be a stranger.”
Everyone at the club would like to thank Abdul for his efforts and wish him all the best for the future.
Djurgardens said via their website: “There has been massive interest and intense speculation surrounding Abdul Abdulmalik within the Blues supporters and other football media in recent weeks.
But now Abdul is finally in place in DIF with a newly signed three-year contract for the 23-year-old English winger/midfielder, who is coming off a convincing season at English side Boreham Wood last season.
On Sunday, Abdul and his family were at 3Arena to get to know their new home field, where they also had a chat and welcomed the pride of Stockholm.
Abdul said: “I am very happy, proud and excited to come here to Djurgården and I am looking forward to playing in front of the supporters at this fine stadium.
“An important part for me was the great interest that “Max” showed in me and I heard through him and my agent that he really wants me in DIF. I appreciate the conviction that has existed from Djurgården and it feels very gratifying that everything is now clear.”
On making the headlines: “There has been a lot of writing about this transition, so I’m grateful that everything is clear now.”
On his knowledge of Djurgarden: “I have had time to read a bit about DIF and since I am at Chelsea I saw when Djurgården met them in the semi-finals of the Conference League. I especially remember the match at Stamford Bridge when I noticed that there were a lot of DIF supporters in London. So now to be able to play with all these supporters behind me is something I am really looking forward to.”
“It is my first time here and since I arrived here quite late on Saturday I have not had time to see much of the city yet. But as soon as the move is complete I will get to know Stockholm better. Right now I am going back to England on Tuesday with my family, but I will be back at the end of the week and hope to be able to train with the team this weekend, or at the beginning of next week.”
On his journey throughout football: “I started at the Fulham academy when I was seven and played there until I was eleven. After that I played for a few local teams, but when I turned 14 I got a call from the Millwall academy and I played there until I was 21.
“It was a good and developing period for me and I also got a call up to the England U17 national team. It was a fantastic feeling and a lot of pride to play for England. There were three internationals, a double meeting against Ukraine and a match against Russia.
“I went on a few different trials and finally chose to sign for Boreham for the 2024-25 season. It went well for both me and the team and I was part of taking Boreham to a play-off final in the National League against Rochdale at Wembley.”
On scoring 17 goals and ten assists in 53 competitive matches: “I am proud of my efforts last season and grateful for my time in Boreham, where I had a great development and an opportunity to show my capacity on the pitch.”
On pressure and expectations: “I don’t feel any pressure in that way, but know what I can achieve under the right conditions. I focus on working hard so that the team, the coaches and the fans are satisfied with my performance on the pitch.
“I would say that speed, dribbling and the ability to drive the ball are my main striker qualities. Then I like to fold in from the left wing and curl the ball into the far corner, there have been a few goals like that, notes Abdul, who in addition to delivering Thierry Henry-like goals from the wing can also act centrally in the attack.
“In both Milwall and Boreham I have played a lot as a 10 behind the striker. But last season the coach in Boreham wanted me on the wing. He saw something in me that he wanted to try and I feel very comfortable playing out on the left wing now. But if the coaches want me as a 10 here in Djurgarden, that also works well for me.
“10 is my favorite number, so I’m proud to be offered that shirt and now it’s up to me to deliver, explains Abdul, who is extremely excited to get started.
“I want to contribute and help the team as much as possible and hopefully I can make our audience cheer here at the home stadium in the future.”
Director of Football, Maximilian Hahn, on Abdul Abdulmalik: “We are very pleased to welcome Abdul to Djurgården. Early in our process, he became our top option for this position, and we are very pleased that he chose our vision over other competing options.
“On the pitch, Abdul brings exceptional skill, a dynamic offensive threat and reliable production that will add a new and powerful dimension to our offensive game. Off the pitch, his calm and positive personality makes him a perfect player for our squad dynamics.
“This signing reflects our strong commitment to building a successful future, both here and now and in the long term. Abdul is an important part of our strategy to identify, recruit and develop players at the highest level, and we are really looking forward to seeing him make his mark here at Djurgarden.”
