Smart business by Everton
Everton have secured the signing of Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough, bringing one of the Championship’s most consistent midfielders to the Premier League. The transfer was confirmed on July 2nd, giving Everton a head start on their summer rebuild.
Hackney, 23, was entering the final year of his contract at the Riverside Stadium. With 11 months remaining on his deal, Middlesbrough faced the risk of losing him for nothing in 2027. Everton capitalised on the situation.
The Player
Hackney is a left-footed central midfielder who thrives at the base of midfield. His OVR of 82 is elite for a Championship player, and his skouted.ai profile reveals a player ready for the step up:
- UV Score of 43, indicating solid value relative to market
- Deal Score of 65, reflecting a reasonable but not exceptional bargain
- OVR of 82 at just 23, with room to develop further
His ability to break lines with passing, combined with defensive awareness, makes him an ideal Premier League midfield anchor. Everton have been crying out for a player who can control tempo from deep.
Why Now?
The timing of this transfer makes sense for all parties. For Everton, signing Hackney now rather than waiting for his contract to expire means they avoid a bidding war. For Middlesbrough, cashing in on a player with 11 months left is better than losing him for nothing.
For Hackney, it is a chance to prove himself in the Premier League at a club where he will be guaranteed minutes.
Contract Expiry Context
Hackney was featured in the skouted.ai Expiring Watch section, which tracks players whose contracts are running down. Other notable names on that list include:
- Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid, OVR 93) - 11 months left
- Phil Foden (Manchester City, OVR 88) - 11 months left
- Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal, OVR 85) - 11 months left
- Federico Dimarco (Inter, OVR 85) - 11 months left
While those players are unlikely to actually leave on free transfers, Hackney’s situation was more realistic and Everton have moved smartly.
View full profile and AI-powered transfer intelligence at skouted.ai