Abdulmalik Ready for Next Challenge as Boreham Wood Rejects £1.5m Bid
Abdul Abdulmalik says he is "ready for the next challenge" and "capable of reaching the top" after Boreham Wood turned down a £1.5m offer from Swedish side Djurgarden for the forward.
The National League club have now rejected two serious bids from the Allsvenskan outfit, who also saw a £1m approach knocked back earlier this month. The latest offer would have set a new record fee for a player from England’s fifth tier, eclipsing the £1m Leicester paid Fleetwood Town for Jamie Vardy in 2012.
Boreham Wood are standing firm. Manager Luke Garrard underlined the club’s stance at the weekend, insisting "he is our player" after leaving the 23-year-old out of the squad for Saturday’s 3-0 win over Forest Green.
Away from the pitch, the player’s message sounded very different.
"Everyone at Boreham Wood FC and the incredible fans have played a massive part in my journey. You will always have my respect," Abdulmalik said in a statement released by his agent.
"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."
The timing is no coincidence. Abdulmalik is coming off a breakout 2025-26 campaign in which he drove Boreham Wood to the National League play-off final, scoring 17 goals and supplying 10 assists. Under the arch at Wembley, he delivered again, finding the net and setting up another in the showpiece.
Those numbers have inevitably drawn attention. Djurgarden have pushed harder than anyone so far, sensing an opportunity to prise one of non-league’s standout talents away from Meadow Park. Boreham Wood, for now, have blocked the exit.
Abdulmalik sees the moment differently.
"Through sheer hard work and perseverance, the opportunity to progress has come around," he continued in his statement. "This is my chance to push myself as a footballer, elevate my game and most importantly fulfil my promise to the ones around me.
"Opportunities like this are rare, especially within the National League where some of the hardest working talent is overlooked.
"The game of football is forever changing and decisions are fast paced. There's no guarantee that the same chances come knocking twice.
"I owe it to myself and the kids growing up just like me to fight for this one I've been offered."
His journey to this point has not been straightforward. Abdulmalik came through Millwall’s academy, rising through the youth ranks and representing England at under-17 level. He played a key role in the club’s Under-21s, helping them secure back-to-back Professional Development League South titles in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
The pathway to regular senior football at The Den never truly opened up. In 2024, Millwall released him. Boreham Wood moved quickly, signing him as a free agent and handing him the platform he has since seized.
Now, with a record-breaking offer on the table and a player publicly declaring his desire to move, a standoff is taking shape. Boreham Wood do not want to sell. Abdulmalik believes this is his moment.
BBC Sport has contacted Boreham Wood for comment.
