Boreham Wood attacker Abdul Abdulmalik believes he has what it takes to compete at the highest level after the National League club turned down a £1.5m bid from Swedish side Djurgarden.
The 23-year-old has attracted strong interest from the Swedish top-flight club, whose earlier £1m proposal was also rejected this month.
Boreham Wood are determined to keep Abdulmalik. Manager Luke Garrard stressed that the forward remains their player after leaving him out of Saturday’s 3-0 win against Forest Green.
In a statement issued through his agent, Abdulmalik expressed his gratitude to everyone at Boreham Wood and said the club’s supporters had played an important role in his development.
However, he added that he feels prepared to take on a new challenge and demonstrate that he can reach the top of the game.
Abdulmalik delivered an outstanding 2025-26 campaign, recording 17 goals and 10 assists as Boreham Wood advanced to the National League play-off final. He contributed both a goal and an assist at Wembley.
Djurgarden’s proposed £1.5m transfer would have surpassed the record amount paid for a player from England’s fifth tier. The existing mark was established in 2012, when Leicester signed Jamie Vardy from Fleetwood Town for £1m.
Abdulmalik said his hard work and persistence had created an opportunity to move forward, improve his ability and honour the commitments he had made to those close to him.
He noted that chances of this kind are uncommon, particularly in the National League, where many dedicated and talented players can go unnoticed.
The forward also pointed out that football changes quickly and important decisions often have to be made immediately, with no certainty that a similar opportunity will return.
He said he felt a responsibility to pursue the offer, both for himself and for young people from backgrounds similar to his own.
Abdulmalik developed in Millwall’s academy, rising through the youth ranks and representing England at under-17 level.
He also contributed to the club’s Under-21 achievements as the team won back-to-back Professional Development League South championships in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
A regular place in the senior team did not become available, however, and Millwall released him in 2024. Boreham Wood subsequently recruited him as a free agent.
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