Hayden Hackney sent a message to Middlesbrough after completing a transfer to Premier League side Everton
11:00, 02 Jul 2026
Hayden Hackney of Middlesbrough celebrates scoring
Hayden Hackney of Middlesbrough celebrates scoring(Image: Richard Lee/Shutterstock)
Hayden Hackney sent a classy and heartfelt goodbye message to Middlesbrough supporters after completing his Premier League transfer to Everton.
Ending his 14-year association with Boro, after rising through the academy ranks to become a first-team star, the Redcar midfielder signed a five-year contract at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
It’s understood the two clubs come to an agreement on a £25m package, which will see Boro receive £17m up front. Boro have also included a future sell-on fee.
The move will see Hackney finally get the opportunity to prove his star quality in the top flight, after starring for Boro in the Championship in recent years.
His dream had been to lead Boro to the Premier League, and he named being unable to help Kim Hellberg’s side achieve that goal as his only disappointment, while reflecting on his Boro career in a heartfelt goodbye message after his move was confirmed.
In a letter published across Boro’s social media accounts, Hackney wrote: “I want to say thank you to everyone connected with the club, the staff and the fans. I’ve had an amazing time at Boro and can't thank people enough for the support they have given me over the years.
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“Having supported the club since I was a kid, it was always my dream to play at the Riverside and pull on the shirt. To captain the club as I went on to do was beyond my wildest dreams.
“I’ve got so many special memories from over the years, and there've been some great moments. The only disappointment was that we couldn’t quite make it to the Premier League.
“Boro will always have a place in my heart and I will be supporting the lads. But this is a new chapter for me and I’m delighted to become an Everton player. I can’t wait for the challenges ahead.”
Hackney also thanked Boro in his comments published on the Everton website. He said: "Obviously, I thank Middlesbrough for the time that I was there, which was unbelievable, but now I feel ready and feel it's time to make the change and I'm really looking forward to it.”
Hackney leaves Boro having made 154 appearances, scoring 16 goals and contributing a further 17 assists.
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