Jamie Vardy’s incredible 14-year record finally broken as non-league star who went on strike seals £1.5million transfer

ABDUL Abdulmalik has finally broken Jamie Vardy’s National League transfer fee record. Swedish club Djurgardens have agreed a deal worth in excess of £1.5million to sign the 23-year-old from Boreham Wood. Abdul Abdulmalik dribbles the ball for Boreham Wood in the National League against Hartlepool United Credit: Getty Jamie Vardy of Cremonese in action for US Cremonese against Pisa SC in Serie A Credit: Getty Leicester City previously set the fifth-tier record when signing Vardy, now 39, from Fleetwood Town for £1m in 2012. The move is understood to have been agreed on Sunday morning after Abdulmalik shockingly went on strike at his non-league club last week. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Winger Abdulmalik came through the youth set-up at Millwall before joining Boreham Wood in 2024. He proved to be a star player as he bagged 17 goals and ten assists to help Boreham Wood reach the National League play-off final last season. Abdulmalik scored one goal and assisted another as his side missed out on promotion to Rochdale on penalties. League One clubs Stockport and Sheffield Wednesday were understood to have expressed an interest in the forward. Boreham Wood even rejected bids of £1m and £1.5m from Djurgardens before finally agreeing a deal for the former England U17 international. The winger scored in his final appearance for Boreham Wood against Halifax Town earlier in August before going on strike. Most read in Sport Abdulmalik celebrates scoring Boreham Wood’s second goal during the National League play-off final against Rochdale Credit: Alamy This saw Abdulmalik miss Boreham Wood’s wins against Forest Green Rovers and Boston United. Abdulmalik has now arrived in Sweden to complete a medical at his new club. The record-breaking star has thanked his former side for their support in a statement on Instagram. He said: “Everyone at Boreham Wood FC and the incredible fans have played a massive part. You will always have my respect. “With this said, I’m ready for the next challenge. I’m ready to prove to myself and those around me that I’m capable of reaching the top.” His new side Djurgardens currently sit fifth in the Allsvenskan, with the Swedish season running from April until November. They remain in European contention with two games in hand on the fourth-ranked Häken. Djurgardens will next face the 11th-placed Mjällby at home on Monday. Comment now