Boreham Wooden ahead Abdul Abdulmalik stated he’s “able to reaching the highest” after the Nationwide League facet rejected a £1.5m provide from Swedish membership Djurgarden.
The 23-year-old has been the topic of great curiosity from the Swedish top-flight facet, who had a proposal of £1m rejected earlier this month.
Boreham Wooden don’t need to promote Abdulmalik, with supervisor Luke Garrard saying “he’s our participant” after the ahead was disregarded of the London membership’s 3-0 victory over Forest Inexperienced on Saturday.
“Everybody at Boreham Wooden FC and the unbelievable followers have performed a large half [in my journey]. You’ll all the time have my respect,” Adbulmalik stated in a press release launched by his agent.
“With this stated, I am prepared for the subsequent problem. I am able to show to myself and people round me that I am able to reaching the highest.”
Abdulmalik loved a breakout season in 2025-26, scoring 17 targets and offering 10 assists as Boreham Wooden reached the Nationwide League play-off remaining, the place he scored and assisted at Wembley.
Djurgarden’s £1.5m provide would have damaged the report price paid for a fifth-tier participant in England, set in 2012 when Leicester paid Fleetwood City £1m for Jamie Vardy.
“By means of sheer onerous work and perseverance, the chance to progress has come round. That is my probability to push myself as a footballer, elevate my recreation and most significantly fulfil my promise to those round me,” Abdulmalik continued.
“Alternatives like this are uncommon, particularly throughout the Nationwide League the place a number of the hardest working expertise is neglected.
“The sport of soccer is perpetually altering and selections are quick paced. There is no assure that the identical possibilities come knocking twice.
“I owe it to myself and the children rising up similar to me to battle for this one I have been provided.”
Abdulmalik got here by means of Millwall’s academy, progressing by means of the membership’s youth system and representing England at under-17 stage.
He was a part of the membership’s Beneath-21s successes – securing consecutive Skilled Growth League South titles in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
Nevertheless, a pathway into constant first-team soccer didn’t materialise and Abdulmalik was launched in 2024, earlier than Boreham Wooden signed him as a free agent.
BBC Sport has contacted Boreham Wooden for remark.