Everton complete Hayden Hackney signing from Middlesbrough
24 year old midfielder joins Blues on a five-year contract
Everton have announced the signing of 24-year-old central midfielder Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee.
Hackney has agreed to a five-year contract with Everton, which will keep him at Goodison Park until the end of June 2031.
The announcement marks manager David Moyes' first acquisition for the 2026 summer transfer window.
Hackney enjoyed a remarkable rise through the ranks at Middlesbrough, achieving a standout season in 2025/26 that earned him the Championship Player of the Season award.
The Redcar-born player expressed his excitement about joining Everton, highlighting the club's stature and Moyes' successful track record of transitioning players from the Championship to the Premier League.
“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,” Hackney said.
He added that he aimed to become an integral part of Everton's squad, noting his versatility and ability to contribute both defensively and offensively.
Hackney comes with international experience, having represented Scotland at Under-21 level before joining England's Under-21 squad, where he made 13 appearances and scored once.
He was part of the victorious England team that clinched the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2025.
Everton manager Moyes commended Hackney’s potential and expressed eagerness to incorporate him into the squad.
“Hayden is a promising young player who we’ve been tracking for some time, and I’m looking forward to working with him, Moyes said.
“He’s an England Under-21 international who will provide greater competition in midfield, which is something I wanted going into the new season.”
Hackney's arrival at Everton is set to enhance midfield options as the club prepares for the forthcoming season.