One of the most talked about footballer playing non league football in England is Abdul Abdulmalik who is courting interest from Swedish top-flight side Djurgarden, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
They have twice tested the National League club’s resolve with bids and the latest offer totalled £1m.
That figure is significant. It would match the record direct sale by a National League club, the fee Leicester City paid Fleetwood Town for Jamie Vardy in 2012 before he went on to become a Premier League champion and England international.
Abdul Abdulmalik’s journey to becoming a seven-figure transfer target has been far from straightforward.
The 23-year-old enjoyed a breakout season in 2025-26, scoring 17 goals and providing 10 assists as Boreham Wood reached the National League play-off final, where he scored and assisted at Wembley.
The forward came through Millwall’s academy, progressing through the club’s youth system and representing England at under-17 level. He was part of the club’s Under-21s successes – securing consecutive Professional Development League South titles in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
However, a pathway into consistent first-team football did not materialise and Abdulmalik was released in 2024. Boreham Wood moved quickly to offer him a fresh opportunity, signing him as a free agent.
The move has proved transformative with Abdulmalik establishing himself as one of the National League’s most exciting attacking players, with the ability to create and score goals.
With all eyes on him and his next move, he has committed his international future to Nigeria, and believe he is the closest to former Super Eagles captain and legend Austine Okocha.
However he knows for that to materialise he must move from non league football to a top league, and drop consistent performances due to the competitive nature of the senior national team of Nigeria.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
