Everton have beaten off competition from Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest to complete the signing of highly-rated Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney. 

Hackney, who was named the Championship Player of the Year last season, has put pen to paper on a five-year contract for a reported transfer fee of at least £16m. 

The 24-year-old had one year remaining on his deal with Middlesbrough, but he has decided to leave the Riverside Stadium after their play-off final defeat to Hull City in May. 

During his time at Middlesbrough, Hackney made 154 appearances across all competitions, registering 16 goals as well as providing 16 assists from central midfield. 

Hackney's 12 Championship goal involvements (five goals, seven assists) were only bettered by Morgan Whittaker (21) and Tommy Conway (18) for Middlesbrough in 2025-26. 

Crystal Palace were said to be interested in a move, while Forest had an approach turned down in January, though Hackney revealed that it was only ever going to be Everton. 

"I'm delighted to be here. 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," Hackney said.

"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 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 influence on Middlesbrough last season was clear. He missed their last eight league games through injury, with his team only winning two of those matches. 

He was able to return for the Championship play-off final, but Hackney could not help Middlesbrough end their nine-year absence from the Premier League, with Hull winning 1-0. 

"Hayden is a promising young player who we’ve been tracking for some time, and I'm looking forward to working with him," Everton boss David Moyes said. 

"We've had a track record over the years of identifying players in the Championship who have gone on to do really well for us and been good investments.

"We hope that will be the case with Hayden, too.

"He's an England Under-21 international who will provide greater competition in midfield, which is something I wanted going into the new season."

Hackney's addition improves Everton's midfield options, with Idrissa Gueye yet to agree an extension after his own deal expired at the end of June.

Gueye's Senegal team-mate Pape Gueye has also been linked with a move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, along with Parma's Mandela Keita. 

Everton are also reportedly close to agreeing a deal with Chelsea to sign Tyrique George following his loan spell with the Toffees during the second half of last season.