Abdulmalik Aims for the Top After £1.5m Bid Rejected by Boreham Wood

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 now rebuffed two bids from the Allsvenskan outfit, having already rejected a £1m approach earlier this month. For a fifth-tier player, the numbers are extraordinary. For Boreham Wood, the answer is still no.

Manager Luke Garrard underlined that stance at the weekend. Abdulmalik was left out of the squad for Saturday’s 3-0 win over Forest Green, and Garrard’s message was blunt: “He is our player.”

The player’s response has been just as clear – and far more emotional.

“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 star in the fifth tier

Abdulmalik’s stance comes off the back of a breakout 2025-26 campaign that has pushed him into the spotlight.

He hit 17 goals and laid on 10 assists as Boreham Wood surged to the National League play-off final. Under the arch at Wembley, he both scored and assisted, the kind of big-stage contribution that quickly travels beyond non-league circles and onto scouting reports across Europe.

Djurgarden’s £1.5m bid reflects that rise. Had Boreham Wood accepted, it would have set a new record fee for a player from England’s fifth tier, surpassing the £1m Leicester City paid Fleetwood Town for Jamie Vardy in 2012.

This time, the record will have to wait.

‘Opportunities like this are rare’

Abdulmalik is adamant that this is a pivotal moment in his career.

“Through sheer hard work and perseverance, the opportunity to progress has come around,” he said. “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 framed the situation as bigger than one transfer and one player.

“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 rise

Abdulmalik’s urgency is rooted in his journey. He came through Millwall’s academy, climbing the youth ladder and representing England at under-17 level. He played a key role in Millwall Under-21s winning back-to-back Professional Development League South titles in 2022-23 and 2023-24.

The pathway to regular first-team football, though, never opened up. In 2024, Millwall released him. Boreham Wood picked him up on a free.

Two years later, a Swedish giant is on the phone with a seven-figure offer, and a National League striker is publicly pleading for the chance to take it.

For now, Boreham Wood are standing firm and BBC Sport has contacted the club for further comment. The numbers are on the table. The player’s wishes are clear.

The next move belongs to the club – and it may define not just Abdulmalik’s season, but his entire career.