How Hayden Hackney has reacted after leaving Middlesbrough for Everton | OneFootball

Midfielder Hayden Hackney has sent an emotional farewell message to Middlesbrough after completing his move to Everton.

Middlesbrough are preparing for another season in the Championship after missing out on promotion, but they have been dealt a significant blow ahead of the upcoming campaign.

Middlesbrough spent much of last season in the automatic promotion spots, but a run of just four wins in their final 15 games of the regular season saw them drop out of the top two, with Kim Hellberg's men eventually finishing in fifth place.

Despite losing 2-1 to Southampton in their play-off semi-final, Boro were handed a promotion lifeline when the Saints were expelled from the final as a result of the 'spygate' affair, but they failed to take advantage of their second chance as they were beaten 1-0 by Hull City at Wembley.

After Boro's play-off final loss, speculation began to build over the future of star midfielder Hayden Hackney, who was named Championship Player of the Season after scoring six goals and providing eight assists in 41 appearances during another stellar campaign for the Teesside outfit.

Hackney has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs in recent months, including the likes of Crystal Palace, Brighton & Hove Albion, Tottenham Hotspur, Nottingham Forest and Leeds United, but it became clear this week that Everton were leading the race.

As expected, Hackney's move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium was confirmed on Thursday morning, with the Toffees paying an initial fee of £16.5 million, plus a further £8 million in add-ons, and the 24-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the Merseyside outfit.

Hayden Hackney sends emotional Middlesbrough message after departing for Everton

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Hackney joined Middlesbrough at under-10 level, but after scoring 16 goals and providing 17 assists in 154 appearances, his lengthy spell at the Riverside Stadium has now come to an end.

After his move to Everton was confirmed, Hackney shared a heartfelt farewell message with Boro supporters through the club's social media channels, expressing his gratitude to his boyhood club for helping him fulfil his dreams.

"I want to say thank you to everyone connected with the club, the staff and the fans," Hackney said in a message posted on Boro's official X account.

"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."

Hackney was part of the Boro side that was beaten by Coventry City in the play-off semi-finals in the 2022-23 campaign before suffering further promotion agony last season, and he admitted that he wishes he had been able to guide the club back to the Premier League.

"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," Hackney added.

"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 may have Hayden Hackney regret after Riverside Stadium exit

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After missing out on promotion, it was inevitable that Middlesbrough would lose Hackney this summer after his impressive season, but there may be some regret on Teesside after the midfielder's departure.

There is no doubt that Hackney has been one of the standout performers in the Championship in recent years, so Boro will surely feel a sense of frustration that they were unable to secure promotion during his time at the club, particularly as the task of reaching the Premier League will be tougher in his absence.

However, Boro could eventually receive over £24 million for Hackney if all add-ons are met, with the income representing pure profit for the club as he is an academy product, and that money will certainly be useful as they begin the search for a replacement for their talisman.