Everton have completed the signing of midfielder Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough. The deal for the 24-year-old is reported to be an initial £16.5m, with potential add-ons that could see the fee rise to £25m, particularly if Hackney plays for England.
Hackney, who was named the Championship player of the season for 2025-26, had one year remaining on his contract with Middlesbrough. He leaves the club he joined at Under-10 level after they missed out on promotion to the Premier League last season, losing the play-off final 1-0 to Hull City in May.
The midfielder has signed a five-year contract with the Merseyside club. He expressed his delight at the move, stating, “As soon as I spoke to the manager [David Moyes], as soon as I knew Everton were interested, to be honest, it was always going to be Everton.” Hackney added that the prospect of the new stadium and the club’s direction were significant factors in his decision.
Moyes’s interest and Hackney’s ambitions
Everton manager David Moyes had reportedly been tracking Hackney for some time and had considered signing him last summer before focusing on other areas of the squad. Moyes commented, “Hayden is a promising young player who we’ve been tracking for some time, and I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Moyes also highlighted Everton’s history of successfully identifying talent from the Championship. “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 said. He noted that Hackney, an England Under-21 international, would provide increased competition in midfield for the upcoming season.
Hackney was part of the England squad that secured the European U21 title in 2025. He made 154 appearances for Middlesbrough, scoring 16 goals during his time there. Last season alone, he featured in 39 league matches for Boro, contributing five goals and seven assists.
The midfielder cited Moyes’s reputation for developing players from the Championship into Premier League successes as a key reason for his move. “The manager’s track record of bringing players from the Championship to the Premier League was a massive part of my decision,” Hackney explained. “Hopefully I can be the next one to do it successfully for Everton.”
He described his playing style, telling fans, “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.” Hackney also acknowledged the step up to the Premier League, stating he believes he can “kick on from there” once he adapts to the new league.
Competition and future prospects
Middlesbrough had previously rejected several bids from Everton for Hackney, holding out for their valuation despite the player having only 12 months left on his contract. Interest from Crystal Palace also strengthened Middlesbrough’s negotiating position, but Hackney was reportedly intent on joining Everton, favouring a move to Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Nottingham Forest also had an approach for Hackney turned down during the winter transfer window. A statement from Middlesbrough wished Hackney well, acknowledging his journey from the Under-10 level and his contributions to the club.
Everton are also reportedly close to finalising a deal with Chelsea to sign winger Tyrique George, who spent the latter half of last season on loan with the Toffees. Meanwhile, Tottenham have completed the signing of midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham for £85m, a club record fee.
Fernandes, a 21-year-old Portugal international, began his career at Sporting and spent a season at Southampton in 2024-25 before joining West Ham in August of the previous year. Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi praised Fernandes’s quality on the ball and his intensity, noting his experience in the Premier League despite his age.
Fernandes expressed his excitement for the move, highlighting De Zerbi’s influence on his decision. He stated, “When we spoke it was very special. We look at football in the same way – going on to the pitch as a strong team, with fight and energy, to try and win every game.”
De Zerbi further commented on Fernandes’s ability to perform under pressure and his courage to make an impact in difficult moments. He believes Tottenham is the ideal environment for Fernandes’s continued development, and he is eager to begin working with him.
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Source: bbc.co.uk