Non-League transfer record might be broken as Boreham Wood turns down amazing offer for their star player
Jamie Vardy’s long-standing transfer record might soon be broken as a Non-League star is catching big attention from clubs abroad. Vardy scored lots of goals for Stocksbridge Park Steels in the lower levels of English football before moving up to Fleetwood Town in the National League. After an amazing run of 34 goals in 42 games, Leicester City signed him for about £1 million. He then had a brilliant career, winning both the Premier League and the FA Cup.
Now, 14 years later, that transfer fee could be beaten. Boreham Wood has turned down a £750,000 offer for their star player Abdul Abdulmalik. Abdulmalik, who came through Millwall’s academy, was named in the National League Team of the Season after helping Boreham Wood finish fourth and reach the play-off final, which they narrowly lost on penalties. They also won the National League Cup, beating West Ham United’s Under 21 team.
Thanks to his great performance—28 combined goals and assists—Swedish club Djurgardens made a bid, but the Hertfordshire team said no just a week before the new season started. Reports say Djurgardens could come back with a better offer. If that new bid goes over £1 million, it would be the highest fee ever paid for a player outside England’s top four leagues. BBC journalist Nizaar Kinsella also says some French clubs are interested and might make an offer.
Last season, Abdulmalik scored 13 goals and made 7 assists, proving himself as one of the league’s best. Even Crystal Palace winger Romain Esse showed support by calling him “Playa” in an Instagram post.
While Vardy holds the spot for the most expensive Non-League signing, the biggest transfer money related to a National League player came when Max Kilman moved to West Ham for £40 million in 2024. Kilman had been captain at Wolves, but his old club Maidenhead United had a clever 10% sell-on clause from when he first joined Wolves in 2018. Although they sold him for just £40,000 back then, that clause earned Maidenhead £4 million from the West Ham deal.
Maidenhead’s chairman, Peter Griffin, said this was a fantastic moment, likely one of the biggest transfer payments ever for an English Non-League club. He added that this “momentous day” and the new funds will help change the future of the club in a big way.