Abdul Abdulmalik Ready for Next Challenge After Bid Rejected
Abdul Abdulmalik insists he is “capable of reaching the top” after Boreham Wood rejected a £1.5m bid from Swedish side Djurgarden for the in-demand forward.
The National League club have already turned down an earlier £1m offer from the Allsvenskan outfit this month and remain adamant they will not sell. Manager Luke Garrard underlined that stance at the weekend, pointedly stating “he is our player” after Abdulmalik was left out of Boreham Wood’s 3-0 win over Forest Green.
The omission only sharpened the focus on his future. The message from the player, though, is clear: he feels ready to move.
In a statement released through his agent, the 23-year-old paid tribute to the club that rescued his career.
“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.”
That belief is backed by numbers. Abdulmalik erupted in the 2025-26 campaign, hitting 17 goals and laying on 10 assists as Boreham Wood surged to the National League play-off final. Under the arch at Wembley, he delivered again – scoring and assisting in the showpiece as he announced himself on a bigger stage.
No surprise, then, that serious money has followed. Djurgarden’s latest £1.5m proposal would have set a new benchmark for a player from England’s fifth tier, eclipsing the £1m Leicester City paid Fleetwood Town for Jamie Vardy in 2012.
For Abdulmalik, the offer represents more than a record fee. He sees a door finally opening.
“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.”
He also used his platform to speak for those still waiting for that break lower down the pyramid.
“Opportunities like this are rare, especially within the National League where some of the hardest working talent is overlooked,” he said. “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 has already taken a few sharp turns. Abdulmalik came through Millwall’s academy, climbing the youth ranks and earning England Under-17 honours. He played a part in Millwall Under-21s’ back-to-back Professional Development League South titles in 2022-23 and 2023-24, suggesting a clear path towards senior football.
That path never truly opened. Released by Millwall in 2024, he was picked up by Boreham Wood on a free transfer – a move that has transformed both his career and the club’s attacking threat.
Now, with a record bid refused and the player openly pushing for progression, a standoff is building. Boreham Wood have been contacted for comment, but their decision already speaks loudly.
The next move, whether in Hertfordshire or Stockholm, could define how high Abdulmalik climbs.
