Everton Agree On This £24.5m Signing: Good One For David Moyes? | OneFootball

The summer transfer window finally has its first major bit of business. Everton have struck a deal with Middlesbrough to bring Hayden Hackney to Goodison Park, a massive coup for David Moyes as he looks to breathe some life into a midfield that looked completely spent last season.

Everton land Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney in £24.5m deal

The Times broke the news first. Everton are shelling out an initial £16.5m in cash. The rest of the £24.5m package is wrapped up in performance clauses. Boro get an extra £5m if the lad hits certain appearance targets. Another £3m is tied to far loftier goals, think Champions League qualification and senior England caps.

It’s a smart, heavily incentivised business from a club that need to watch the pennies but still desperately needs quality. Middlesbrough had knocked back a few early bids, but things moved fast over the weekend. Hackney made it clear he wanted the move. Other top-flight sides were sniffing around, but Everton won the race.

Why Moyes needed this signing

The 24-year-old absolutely ran the show in the second tier last term. He didn’t just play well; he picked up the EFL Championship Player of the Season award. Five goals and eight assists in 38 league outings tell part of the story, but it’s his engine that Moyes really fancies. The current Everton midfield lacks legs. It’s slow. Hackney changes that immediately because he can progress the ball quickly, but doesn’t shirk his defensive duties either.

LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 23: Hayden Hackney of Middlesbrough reacts during the Sky Bet Championship Final match between Hull City and Middlesbrough at Wembley Stadium on May 23, 2026 in London, England.Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Some pundits will naturally question the price tag for a lad who hasn’t kicked a ball in the Premier League yet. It’s a gamble, sure. But £16.5m upfront for the best midfielder outside the top flight is exactly the sort of calculated risk Everton should be taking.

It was a bittersweet end to the year for Hackney up on Teesside. A groin injury kept him out of the final weeks of Boro’s automatic promotion push, and his absence cost them dearly. They ended up in the play-off final at Wembley, losing to Hull City. Hackney rushed himself back for that game, showing a lot of character just to get on the pitch.

Moyes needs characters. He needs players who demand the ball and drive forward into spaces when things get tough. Everton fans grew sick of watching square passes and sideways crab football last season. Hackney offers something completely different. Getting him through the door early means he gets a proper pre-season on the training pitch, which is massive. The add-ons protect the club financially, meaning Everton get a player with a huge ceiling without putting themselves in a financial hole.