Abdul Abdulmalik Ready for Next Challenge After Djurgarden's £1.5m Bid
Abdul Abdulmalik says he is “ready for the next challenge” and “capable of reaching the top” after Boreham Wood rejected a second bid from Swedish side Djurgarden – this time worth £1.5m.
The National League club have already turned down an opening offer of £1m earlier this month from the Allsvenskan outfit, who have made the 23-year-old forward a serious target. Boreham Wood are standing firm.
Manager Luke Garrard underlined that stance at the weekend, stressing “he is our player” after Abdulmalik was left out of the squad for the club’s 3-0 win over Forest Green on Saturday.
The player, though, has made his feelings 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.”
That belief is backed by his numbers. Abdulmalik exploded in the 2025-26 campaign, hitting 17 goals and supplying 10 assists as Boreham Wood surged to the National League play-off final. On the biggest day of the club’s season, under the arch at Wembley, he both scored and created another.
Djurgarden’s £1.5m offer would not just be a life-changing move for the player. It would also rewrite the record books. The bid would set a new high for a player from England’s fifth tier, surpassing the £1m Leicester City paid Fleetwood Town for Jamie Vardy back in 2012.
Abdulmalik framed the opportunity as the product of graft, not hype.
“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 delivered a pointed reminder about the realities of life outside the EFL.
“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.”
Abdulmalik’s route to this crossroads has already taken in a few sharp turns. He came through Millwall’s academy, moved up through their youth ranks and represented England at under-17 level. He played a central role in Millwall Under-21s winning back-to-back Professional Development League South titles in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
The next step never came at The Den. A clear pathway to regular first-team football failed to materialise and Millwall released him in 2024. Boreham Wood moved quickly, signing him on a free and handing him the platform he has now seized.
That platform has brought him to this standoff: a National League club refusing to cash in, a European suitor ready to break records, and a 23-year-old forward convinced his time to move up has arrived.
BBC Sport has contacted Boreham Wood for comment.
