Everton have secured the signing of Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney on a five-year contract, seeing off Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest. The fee is reported to start at 16m, with potential add-ons. Hackney, aged 24, leaves Middlesbrough with one year left on his deal, shortly after the club’s play-off final loss to Hull City in May.

Everton manager David Moyes views Hackney as a key part of plans for the new season at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The move comes as Idrissa Gueye has yet to agree a new contract after the previous deal ended on 30 June, while Everton also weigh up further midfield and attacking additions.

“Hayden is a promising young player who weve 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 arrival strengthens an Everton midfield that may change further in the coming weeks. Idrissa Gueye remains in talks over a possible extension, while Senegal team-mate Pape Gueye has been linked with a switch to Hill Dickinson Stadium. Everton also hold interest in Parma midfielder Mandela Keita as the club reshape options in the centre of the pitch.

Crystal Palace monitored Hackney and Nottingham Forest had an offer rejected in January, but Everton always led the race once contact began. Hackney made clear that the move to Merseyside felt inevitable after speaking with Moyes and learning more about Everton’s future at their new stadium site and long-term sporting plans.

“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.”

Everton signing Hayden Hackney: playing style and expectations

Hackney has yet to feature in the Premier League and accepts there will be an adjustment period. The midfielder believes qualities in and out of possession will translate well to the top division, with a focus on running power, ball carrying and late movements into the area to support attackers from deeper positions.

“I think fans can expect a bit of everything from meattacking 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.”

Everton confirmed the move on social media, stating the fee was undisclosed, while reiterating the length of the contract. The club highlighted Hackney’s development at Middlesbrough and referenced the player’s versatility in central roles as a reason for confidence that the step up to Premier League level can be made.