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

Boreham Wood's forward, Abdul Abdulmalik, has become a hot topic in one of the summer's quirkiest transfer stories. The Swedish top-flight side Djurgarden has twice made strong bids for the 23-year-old, with the latest offer reaching a substantial £1 million. This figure is noteworthy as it would set a record for the highest direct sale by a National League club, surpassing the £1 million fee Leicester City paid Fleetwood Town for Jamie Vardy in 2012, who subsequently became a Premier League champion and England international.

Abdulmalik's journey to becoming a player of such worth has been anything but simple. The forward started his career at Millwall's academy and went on to represent England at under-17 level. He also had success with the club's Under-21s, claiming back-to-back Professional Development League South titles in 2022-23 and 2023-24. However, a consistent spot in the first team didn't materialize, and Abdulmalik was released by Boreham Wood in 2024.

Despite this setback, Boreham Wood quickly moved to offer him a fresh chance by signing him as a free agent. This move paid off big-time for Abdulmalik, who has since emerged as one of the National League's most promising attacking players, known for his goal-scoring and creative abilities.

Djurgarden's interest in Abdulmalik is part of a recruitment strategy focused on identifying and acquiring players before their value peaks, with the aim of selling them at a profit. The Swedish club recently appointed Maximilian Hahn as sporting director after his tenure at West Ham United, where he was head of recruitment. Hahn, who also worked under Sweden manager Graham Potter at West Ham, is now helping Djurgarden target players with potential for development and increased value.

August Priske is a recent example - the Danish striker joined Djurgarden from Midtjylland in 2024, had a breakout season, scoring 18 league goals in 2025, and was eventually sold to Birmingham City in January 2026.

Abdulmalik presents a somewhat different route into the European market. He didn't come from an established European academy, but by starting his career at Boreham Wood, Djurgarden hopes to replicate the profitable outcome seen with players like Jamie Vardy and August Priske.