Abdulmalik seeks exit as Boreham Wood turn down £1.5m bid

Abdul Abdulmalik has asked to leave Boreham Wood after the National League club rejected a £1.5m offer from Swedish side Djurgarden, BBC Sport reported on 25 August 2026. The 23-year-old was omitted from Boreham Wood's 3-0 victory over Forest Green on Saturday.

Abdulmalik joined Boreham Wood as a free agent in 2024 and has been the subject of sustained interest from Djurgarden, who previously had a £1m bid rejected earlier this month. Boreham Wood have made clear they do not want to sell the forward, with manager Luke Garrard saying "he is our player" after Abdulmalik was left out of the squad.

"Everyone at Boreham Wood FC and the incredible fans have played a massive part [in my journey]. You will always have my respect," Adbulmalik said in a statement released by his agent. "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."

"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," Abdulmalik continued.

"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."

Abdulmalik enjoyed a breakout 2025-26 season, scoring 17 goals and providing 10 assists as Boreham Wood reached the National League play-off final, where he both scored and assisted at Wembley.

He came through Millwall's academy, represented England at under-17 level and was part of Millwall Under-21 sides that secured Professional Development League South titles in 2022-23 and 2023-24. A pathway to consistent first-team football did not materialise at Millwall and he was released in 2024 before Boreham Wood signed him as a free agent.

Djurgarden's £1.5m offer would have broken the record fee paid for a fifth-tier player in England, set in 2012 when Leicester paid Fleetwood Town £1m for Jamie Vardy. BBC Sport has contacted Boreham Wood for comment.