Middlesbrough make Hayden Hackney announcement | OneFootball

Hackney only left Boro in July for Everton, but it looks like he's already making a return to Teesside

Middlesbrough have been without Hayden Hackney for three months now since his big-money move to Everton - but Boro fans won't have to wait long to get a glimpse of the midfield maestro again.

Failure to win promotion to the Premier League last season - despite being given a second chance in the Championship play-offs due to Southampton's Spygate fate being sealed - was expected to be the final straw when it came to the Teessiders' chances of keeping Hackney at the Riverside Stadium.

And that proved to be the case, as after weeks of speculation and clubs being linked to his services, Hackney was on the move to Everton at the beginning of July, with the Toffees paying an initial £16.5 million for the 24-year-old - the deal could reach £24 million if all add-ons are met.

Hayden Hackney's start to life in the Premier League with Everton

Everton boss David Moyes is no stranger to signing Championship talents over the years, with Hackney the latest he took a punt on, and after some impressive pre-season displays, he was handed a start on the opening day of the Premier League season against Crystal Palace.

It did help that James Garner was still returning to full fitness from pre-season, and the win over the Eagles has been Hackney's only league start so far in 2026-27, as he currently finds himself behind the trio of Garner, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Harrison Armstrong in the fight for regular game-time.

Whether that comes or not immediately after the international break remains to be seen, but before Everton get back to action, Hackney has something else to deal with.

Hayden Hackney is returning to Middlesbrough FC this weekend

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There's still over a week left of the longer than usual international break, with the three-week September/October window coming into effect this season, and for Middlesbrough fans who need a fix of football before then, a legends game is taking place at the Riverside Stadium this coming Sunday.

Named the 'Legacy Game', Boro legends such as Juninho, Fabrizio Ravanelli, Christian Karembeu and David Wheater are among over 90 ex-players either playing or are guests of the club for the day, and the list also includes a certain Hayden Hackney.

Boro have confirmed his attendance at the match, but he of course won't be partaking in the actual match, given he needs to stay fit for Everton's Premier League and domestic cup campaign.

You can expect that retired stars such as George Friend, David Nugent, Dimi Konstantopoulos and others though will be in action in what is set to be an exciting day for the club prior to the Championship season resuming next week.

Middlesbrough fans all want Hayden Hackney to succeed at Everton - so will Steve Gibson

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Boro fans have been reacting to Hackney's somewhat return to Middlesbrough just a few months after his exit, with one supporter wanting the club to keep him locked away and not let him go back to Merseyside!

Another supporter thinks that Boro should send reserve goalkeeper Sol Brynn back to Everton instead of Hackney, believing the two could pass as each other.

One person who will want Hackney fit and healthy for the next few years is Boro chairman Steve Gibson, who sanctioned the deal to let the midfielder move on to pastures new, which was richly deserved after his efforts over the last few years.

The 2025-26 Championship Player of the Year winner may not be starting much as it currently stands, but if he does go on to be a regular for the Toffees, then the likelihood of the add-ons in his transfer being triggered is higher - that is something that would be music to Gibson's ears.