Which Middlesbrough midfielder joined Everton in the 2026 summer window?

Which Middlesbrough midfielder joined Everton in the 2026 summer window? The answer is Hayden Hackney.

Hackney joined Everton from Middlesbrough after an outstanding 2025–26 campaign in the Championship. The central midfielder had developed through Middlesbrough’s academy and became one of the club’s most important senior players before earning his move to the Premier League. Everton reportedly agreed a deal worth up to £25 million, with Hackney signing a long-term contract.

His transfer was especially notable because he was regarded as one of the Championship’s leading young midfielders and was named the division’s Player of the Season. Everton manager David Moyes identified midfield reinforcement as a priority, making Hackney one of the club’s headline summer additions.

A common mix-up is confusing Hackney with former Middlesbrough players such as Matt Crooks or Jonny Howson. Riley McGree is also a midfielder, but Hackney is the player who moved from Middlesbrough to Everton in this window.