Abdulmalik vows to reach the top after Boreham Wood rejects Djurgarden bid
Abdul Abdulmalik says he is “ready for the next challenge” and “capable of reaching the top” after Boreham Wood rejected a second, £1.5m offer from Swedish side Djurgarden for the in-demand forward.
The 23-year-old, one of the National League’s standout performers last season, has become the subject of serious interest from the Allsvenskan club, who already saw a £1m bid turned down earlier this month.
This time, Boreham Wood have again stood firm.
Boreham Wood dig in
Manager Luke Garrard made his stance clear over the weekend. Abdulmalik was left out of the squad for the 3-0 win over Forest Green on Saturday, and Garrard underlined the club’s position afterwards, stressing: “He is our player.”
Boreham Wood do not want to sell. Djurgarden, though, have pushed their offer to a level that would rewrite the record books.
The £1.5m proposal would be the highest fee ever paid for a player from England’s fifth tier, eclipsing the £1m Leicester City handed Fleetwood Town for Jamie Vardy back in 2012.
“I’m ready for the next challenge”
As the bids have climbed, Abdulmalik has chosen his moment to speak. In a statement released through his agent, he paid tribute to the club that picked him up when others let him go.
“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.
Then came the turn.
“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.”
For Abdulmalik, this is about more than a transfer fee.
“Through sheer hard work and perseverance, the opportunity to progress has come around. 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 cast-off to National League star
Abdulmalik’s words carry weight because of the route he has taken.
He came through Millwall’s academy, rose through the youth ranks and represented England at under-17 level. With the Lions’ Under-21s he tasted success, helping secure back-to-back Professional Development League South titles in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
The next step never arrived. A clear pathway to regular first-team football failed to open up and, in 2024, Millwall released him.
Boreham Wood moved quickly, snapping him up on a free. The response was emphatic.
In the 2025-26 campaign, Abdulmalik exploded. Seventeen goals, 10 assists, and a starring role in a promotion push that carried Boreham Wood all the way to the National League play-off final. Under the arch at Wembley, he delivered again – scoring and assisting on the biggest day of the club’s season.
That performance, and that body of work, has now brought serious money to the table.
A rare chance – and a looming decision
For Boreham Wood, this is a test of ambition and reality. For Abdulmalik, it is the fork in the road he has been waiting for.
Djurgarden’s offer would smash a decade-old record for a fifth-tier player. The forward has made it clear he believes this is a chance that may not come around again.
Boreham Wood have so far chosen resistance over cash. The player is openly pushing for progression. The numbers are climbing.
Something has to give.
