Everton have secured the signing of Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough, with the transfer fee rising to at least £16 million. The 24-year-old midfielder has put pen to paper on a five-year deal at Goodison Park.

Hackney, who joined Middlesbrough as a child at Under-10 level, departs after the club failed to secure promotion to the Premier League last season. He had just one year remaining on his contract at the Riverside Stadium.

The midfielder earned the 2025-26 Championship player of the season award following an outstanding campaign, during which he helped Middlesbrough reach the play-off final in May. They fell 1-0 to Hull City in that decisive match, ending their top-flight ambitions for another year.

Hackney made no secret of his excitement at completing the move, pointing to Everton's size and trajectory as the key factors behind his decision.