“I just had to be part of that” — Hackney becomes Everton's first summer signing

Hayden Hackney says that his heart and mind were set on Everton once the Blues' firmed up their interest in the midfielder who has joined the club in an initial £16.5m deal.

The Redcar-born player was first linked with a move to Bramley-Moore Dock last year before eventually turning down an approach to his boyhood club, Middlesbrough, from Ipswich Town.

In the interim, Hackney, who turned 24 last week, helped Boro's push for promotion from the Championship, one that fell just short in the Playoffs final at Wembley when they were beaten by Hull City.

Along the way, Hackney had emerged as arguably the second tier's outstanding player and, with just 12 months remaining on his contract at the Riverside Stadium, it was inevitable that he would end up in the Premier League anyway in the 2026/27 campaign.

After protracted negotiations, during which head of player trading, Nick Hammond, appears to have secured a highly favourable deal, Everton reportedly beat off competition from a number of other clubs, most notably Crystal Palace, to land a top target.

 "I'm delighted to be here," Hackney told evertontv. 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."

Hackney's transfer from Middlesbrough could eventually be worth £24.5m should appearance- and performance-related clauses be triggered over the lifetime of his contract with the Toffees, including Champions League qualification for Everton and a call-up to the England squad for the player. 

He signs a five-year contract that ties him to Everson until 2031