Abdulmalik Aims High 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 in-demand forward.
The National League club have already rebuffed a £1m approach from the Allsvenskan outfit earlier this month and remain adamant they will not sell their star man.
Manager Luke Garrard underlined that stance at the weekend, stressing “he is our player” after Abdulmalik was left out of the squad for Boreham Wood’s 3-0 win over Forest Green on Saturday.
But while the club dig their heels in, the 23-year-old has made his own position clear.
In a statement released through his agent, Abdulmalik paid tribute to the club and its support before pushing his case for a move.
“Everyone at Boreham Wood FC and the incredible fans have played a massive part in my journey. You will always have my respect,” he said.
“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.”
A breakout year
Abdulmalik’s rise has been sharp and eye-catching.
Last season he produced a standout campaign in the fifth tier, scoring 17 goals and supplying 10 assists as Boreham Wood surged to the National League play-off final. Under the Wembley arch, he delivered again – scoring and assisting in the showpiece as his profile soared beyond non-league circles.
That form drew serious interest from Djurgarden, whose latest £1.5m bid would have set a new record fee for a player from England’s fifth tier. The current mark dates back to 2012, when Leicester City paid Fleetwood Town £1m for Jamie Vardy.
For Abdulmalik, the Swedish offer represents more than just a big number on a balance sheet.
“Through sheer hard work and perseverance, the opportunity to progress has come around,” he continued.
“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.”
From Millwall release to non-league star
Abdulmalik’s conviction is rooted in a career that has already taken a few sharp turns.
He came through Millwall’s academy, progressed through the youth ranks and represented England at under-17 level. He then helped the club’s Under-21s secure back-to-back Professional Development League South titles in 2022-23 and 2023-24, hinting at a smooth path towards senior football.
That pathway never truly opened. Consistent first-team minutes failed to materialise and Millwall released him in 2024.
Boreham Wood stepped in, signing him as a free agent. One year on, they are staring at bids that would rewrite the financial landscape for a National League forward.
The club have so far stood firm. The player is pushing hard to grasp what he views as a rare window to climb.
BBC Sport has contacted Boreham Wood for comment. The next move in this stand-off may define not only Abdulmalik’s future, but how far a National League club is willing to go to hold on to its brightest talent.
