Everton Complete Signing of Middlesbrough Midfielder Hayden Hackney

Everton have officially completed the signing of Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough, with the 24-year-old signing a five-year deal with the Toffees.

Hackney was named Championship Player of the Season for the 25-26 campaign after a phenomenal year with Middlesbrough. Everton have confirmed that Hackney chose a move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium over a host of other clubs, becoming Everton's first signing of the summer transfer window. 

Reports have suggested that Everton will pay £16.5m up front for Hackney, with the rest of the fee in add-ons which could total just under £25m. 

If you want to find out more about Everton's new signing, check out our analysis below. 

Speaking on his move to the Toffees, Hackney has claimed that it was always going to be Everton despite the interest from other clubs in the summer transfer window.

"I'm delighted to be here. As soon as I spoke to the manager, as soon as I knew Everton were interested, to be honest, it was always going to be Everton. It’s such a big club, with the new stadium and the direction it’s going in. I just wanted to be part of that.”

"The manager's track record of bringing players from the Championship to the Premier League was a massive part of my decision as well. Hopefully I can be the next one to do it successfully for Everton.

"It feels like a good fit for me, for sure. I think it's a given that you work hard, you run, you make tackles. I'll be doing that.”

The former Middlesbrough man tells fans what to expect from him and how he is hoping to prove himself in the Premier League for the first time. 

"I think fans can expect a bit of everything from me – attacking and defensively. I think I can carry the ball well, arrive late in the box, and hopefully score some goals. I think there's plenty more to come from me. Obviously, I haven't played in the Premier League yet, so once I get used to that I think I can kick on from there.

"It was big for me to get it done before the start of pre-season. I wanted to be here on day one and do the whole pre-season with the lads. I can't wait for it. It helps with everything. Obviously, it's a new set of lads who I'll get used to and then also living down here. I'm delighted."

Hackney is through the building in time for pre-season, where Everton have a jam-packed schedule with some difficult fixtures across the next few months. The 24-year-old has made 13 appearances for England U21, scoring once. He was also part of the side that won the U21 Championship in 2025. 

Interestingly, Hackney also represented Scotland at under-21s level twice before switching allegiances to England, where he was born. 

Hackney has been at Middlesbrough since under-10s level, signing his first professional contract with the club around seven years ago. He didn't establish himself as a regular in Middlesbrough's side until 2022, when now-Manchester United manager Michael Carrick gave him an opportunity. 

Hackney believes this is the perfect time for him to make the step up to Premier League football and to Everton after an excellent year in the Championship with Middlesbrough. 

"It feels like signing for Everton is ideal timing. I feel that last season really developed me more as a player in all aspects of my game. Obviously, I thank Middlesbrough for the time that I was there, which was unbelievable, but now I feel ready and feel it's time to make the change and I'm really looking forward to it. There are some unbelievable players here and the competition is going to be tough but I'm ready to get going and to compete." 

It's going to be interesting to see how David Moyes fits Hackney into this current Everton XI. The competition for places in the midfield is certainly increasing, despite the fact that players could be heading through the exit door. 

We are still waiting on official confirmation around the future of Idrissa Gueye, who was out of contract at the end of June. Everton previously confirmed that talks were ongoing over a new deal, but we are yet to find out the conclusion.