Hayden Hackney speaks after leaving his hometown club Middlesbrough and signing for Premier League side Everton.
According to Sky Sports News, the clubs agreed a deal of £16.5million plus add-ons, taking it close to £24million.
The 24 year old was spotted by Boro when playing for Redcar Town, he worked his way up the academy and youth ranks at Boro, then made 154 appearances for them at senior level between the 2021 and 2026.
Everton said in a statement on their website:
The central midfielder, who turned 24 last week, has signed a five-year contract with the Blues, keeping him at the Club to the end of June 2031.
Hackney rose through the ranks at hometown club Middlesbrough, before establishing himself as a key player and captaining his side during a standout 2025/26 campaign, which culminated in Everton’s new recruit being named Championship Player of the Season.
After choosing the Toffees over a host of other clubs to become manager David Moyes’ first signing of the 2026 summer transfer window, Hackney told evertontv: “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.
“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.”
“It feels like signing for Everton is ideal timing,” added Hackney. “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.”
Everton boss David Moyes said: “Hayden is a promising young player who we’ve been tracking for some time, and I’m looking forward to working with him.
“We’ve had a track record over the years of identifying players in the Championship who have gone on to do really well for us and been good investments. We hope that will be the case with Hayden, too.
“He’s an England Under-21 international who will provide greater competition in midfield, which is something I wanted going into the new season.”
Hayden Hackney has joined Premier League side Everton in a permanent transfer.
As the homegrown midfielder enters a new chapter in his flourishing career, everyone at MFC wishes Hayden all the very best for the future.
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) July 2, 2026
Hayden said in a his message to Boro: “I want to say thank you to everyone connected with the club, the staff and the fans.
“I’ve had an amazing time at Boro and I can’t thank people enough for the support they have given me over the years.
“Having supported the club since I was a kid, it was always my dream to play at the Riverside and pull on the shirt. To captain the team as I went on to do was beyond my wildest dreams.
“I’ve got so many special memories from over the years, and there’s been some great moments. The only disappointment was that we couldn’t quite make it to the Premier League.
“Boro will always have a place in my heart and I will be supporting the lads, but this is a new chapter for me and I’m delighted to become an Everton player and can’t wait for the challenges ahead.”
Middlesbrough in his blood ❤️
Thank you for everything 🥹 pic.twitter.com/IvMYBBvvu1
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) July 2, 2026
Here’s how fans reacted as Hayden Hackney speaks after leaving Middlesbrough and signing for Everton…
@JH0511747: Go and smash it. Everton take care of our Boro boy. Everyone at Middlesbrough will be Everton fans for Hackney
@Murd1876: Best of luck Hayden, you deserve it 👏👏
@david_sedgewick: Only transfer i can remember where i have felt absolutely gutted, good luck hayden, hope you smash it
@jamiemadden1989: Can’t complain, fully deserves the opportunity at the top. Hopefully we see him back in red again.
@JackLangley93: Thank you for your loyalty & outstanding performances since you’ve came through the system & been a huge part of our team captain, go smash the premier league like we all know you will! All the best H! 👊 #UTB
@MattPB_:
Days ruined and it’s only 10am.
Go well Hayden, a great move, more than deserved.
A Premier League player who I hope smashes it at the top level.
Such a shame it wasn’t with us.
Now Boro, let’s sign some players.
@sarahfinn8: 💔😢 All the best Hayden, no one deserves this chance more and you will have the whole of Teesside routing for you! The finest to do it for Boro in quite some time for me. Thanks for the brilliant memories. Always be one of our own. 🙌🏻❤️🥹 #Boro
@LivBartley14: It hurts seeing Hayden leave 🥲 wish him all the best I know he will smash it 😔 #Boro #UTB
— Edd Adams🇬🇧🏴 (@Eddieadams83) July 2, 2026
— Chris (@Chris_BoroUTB) July 2, 2026
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