Boreham Wood’s Abdul Abdulmalik releases a statement amid transfer interest and reports of £1.5m bid from Djurgardens.
It would be a record fee for a National League player, with the 23 year old move on with a number of clubs fighting for his signature this transfer window.
Following a 3-0 win over Forest Green at the weekend, manager Luke Garrard insisted that he remained a Boreham Wood player.
He wrote in a statement via Instagram: “I’m just a kid from South London. Just like most boys where I’m from, it starts in a council estate. We dreamt of playing the beautiful game at the highest level. I’d dream about the big games, the stadium lights, the opportunity to come up against and play alongside the best.
“Kids where I’m from know we have to work extra hard and nothing is handed to us. I have always known this, that’s why I continue to strive for the best.
“My career in football wouldn’t even be possible without the support of my family and loved ones. We don’t come from much so it’s never been the easiest career to support. For those people, I will always be grateful and fortunate. That’s why from the beginning I have vowed to do my best to support them and take my career to the furthest heights possible.
“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.
“Moving on from a club is one of the toughest decisions in a footballers career. I’m more than grateful for everyone that has been a part of my journey so far.
“Everyone at Boreham Wood FC and the incredible fans have played a massive part. You will always have my respect. 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.”
“He’s our player.” ⛔️
Luke Garrard on Abdul Abdulmalik’s omission from today’s match day squad. 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/Czmgxoisj1
— National League on DAZN (@DAZN_NationalLg) August 22, 2026
Boreham Wood boss said when asked about the player’s omission at the weekend:” He’s our player, he wasn’t in the squad today. Obviously you’ve got Cashman, Allarakhia that come off the bench. You’ve got Farhaan and Richardson at start. And I think Richardson had an unbelievable game on the right-hand side.
“So yeah, we’ve got a squad there, available to us to select the best personnel to go and win a game of football.
“I just spoke to them in there. There’s personnel that are coming off the bench that they might feature against Boston because we’ve got to utilise the whole squad in these coming weeks and the new normal, right?
“The new normal is the five second rule is adding on a kilometre a onto the lads running and we need to make sure that we utilise our bench to the best of our ability and we’ve done that today.”
Here’s how fans reacted after Boreham Wood’s Abdul Abdulmalik releases statement amid reports of a £1.5m bid…
@DanTakesOnFooty: Sad that it’s come to this but with the size of the bids coming in and Abdul being left out of the squad on Saturday it has felt inevitable he would leave. A fantastic player, a great guy that we had the privilege of interviewing for our podcast earlier this year. He’s destined for great things, I’m sure of it. All the best @a10malik2 ⭐️🫱🏻🫲🏼
@utw1948: Thanks for everything, @a10malik2. The way you excited us from your debut onwards was something the club needed, the goal sparking the Dorking comeback, the middle fingers to Marc White, THAT goal against aldershot, a goal and assist at Wembley. All the best, Abdul Abdulmalik 🤍
@ShakeyyFS: As he should, absurd from the club to turn down that fee and halt his career
@GavinShawcross: 100% within his rights to demand a move. Good luck to him. He’s operating 2 or 3 levels below where he should be
@AndrewConcanno7: Saw him again Yeovil last season. Best player I’ve here in years
@MGrahamJourno: Thought it would come to this – opportunity too good to pass up for him…
@FGR_sean37: 1.5m is a pretty fair price for Abdulmalik all things considered all they have to do is chuck a sell on clause in the sale and in a future sale they get even more when you look at someone like Max Kilman prime example
@_callumfowler: This stance is mental, don’t sign a deal with a club and expect to go for less than you’re worth 🤣
@AGroundsss: Would love to see him have a go in the EFL, really rate him and think he would cause havoc in the EFL
@thw8p4: Pretty much him politely saying he wants to go
