Abdul Abdulmalik sets record with £1.5m move from England's fifth tier

Abdul Abdulmalik has signed a record-breaking £1.5 million transfer move from England's fifth-tier side Boreham Wood to Swedish club Djurgården. The English striker is now the most expensive player to leave the National League, breaking the previous transfer record set in 2012 when Leicester City paid £1 million for Jamie Vardy from Fleetwood Town.

Abdulmalik's deal with Djurgården could increase further with potential add-ons. The move follows long negotiations between the clubs. Boreham Wood had rejected earlier offers of £1 million and £1.5 million in the summer before agreeing to the final £1.5 million deal. The English club also secured a percentage of any future sale of the player.

Abdulmalik surpassed the previous record for the highest transfer fee from England's fifth tier, previously held by Leicester City's Jamie Vardy. Abdulmalik's impressive season with Boreham Wood, including 17 goals and 10 assists, led them to the promotion playoff final. At Wembley, he scored a goal and an assist despite the team's promotion failure.

Abdulmalik had a successful youth career with Millwall before joining Djurgården, currently sixth in the Swedish top flight. After completing the transfer, Abdulmalik said he is ready for the next challenge and to prove he can reach the top. Djurgården's sporting director Maximilian Hahn commended Abdulmalik's attacking qualities and positive character, believing he will help their push for European qualification.

With this record-breaking transfer, Abdulmalik begins a new chapter in his career, surpassing a milestone previously held by Jamie Vardy.