Hayden Hackney

Signs for Everton on five-year deal

Hackney has joined Everton from Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee on a five-year contract until June 2031, the club announced.

Analysis: Hackney captained Middlesbrough throughout the 2025/26 Championship campaign and was named Championship Player of the Season after a standout individual campaign that attracted interest from multiple clubs. Hackney won the UEFA European U21 Championship with England in 2025 and made 13 appearances for the Young Lions, and expressed his excitement at becoming manager David Moyes' first summer signing, citing the manager's track record of successfully bringing players from the Championship to the Premier League as a key factor in his decision. Moyes described Hackney as a promising young England U21 international who will provide greater competition in midfield, adding to Everton's history of identifying Championship talent that has gone on to perform well at the top level.