Meet the £1m-rated non-league star Abdulmalik

What the report says

Boreham Wood forward Abdul Abdulmalik has become the focus of an unusual summer transfer story after Swedish top-flight club Djurgarden made two bids, the latest reportedly worth £1m. According to BBC Sport Football, Boreham Wood have rejected the offers and remain adamant that the 23-year-old is not for sale. The figure would equal the record direct fee paid for a player from the National League, matching the transfer of Jamie Vardy from Fleetwood Town to Leicester City in 2012.

BBC Sport Football reports that Abdulmalik enjoyed a breakout 2025-26 campaign, scoring 17 goals and adding 10 assists as Boreham Wood reached the National League play-off final. He also scored and provided an assist at Wembley. The forward previously came through Millwall’s academy, represented England at under-17 level and was released in 2024 before joining Boreham Wood on a free transfer.

The interest from Djurgarden fits the Swedish club’s wider recruitment approach of identifying players with resale potential before their value rises further. The article notes that Djurgarden recently appointed Max Hahn, formerly of West Ham United, as sporting director. A recent example of that strategy was August Priske, who moved from Midtjylland to Djurgarden and later joined Birmingham City after a strong spell in Sweden. Abdulmalik’s case underlines how non-league performers can draw major attention from overseas clubs when their form and upside stand out.