Hayden Hackney during an Everton training session at Finch Farm on July 10, 2026
Hayden Hackney during an Everton training session at Finch Farm on July 10, 2026
New boy Hayden Hackney is “exactly the type of signing” Everton need but David Moyes now needs to make a new striker “number one priority.” That’s the verdict of a former Blues ace brought to Goodison Park by the Glaswegian gaffer.
Everton announced the signing of Championship Player of the Season Hackney from Middlesbrough on July 2 for an undisclosed
fee that the ECHO understands is an initial £16.5million.
The 24-year-old Redcar-born midfielder, who joined his new team-mates for the first day of pre-season training at Finch Farm on Friday, had one year left on his contract at the Riverside Stadium after making 154 appearances and scoring six goals for the Teesside outfit.
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Speaking courtesy of , Louis Saha, who having been signed by , netted 35 goals in 115 games for Everton between 2008 and 2012, including one after just 25 seconds in the 2009 final, told the ECHO: “Hayden Hackney is a very shrewd signing for Everton. I think it went under the radar a little bit, and I think that could benefit Hayden as he adapts to Everton.
“He’s a fantastic young player with plenty of talent that I’m sure will shine through this season. He’s exactly the type of signing they need, a dynamic young midfielder.
“He’s great on the ball, and he’ll put his body on the line to defend for his team when necessary. He’ll much improve Everton’s squad heading into next season.”
However, the 47-year-old Parisian believes the Blues need more variety up front. Saha said: “I think and are both good players who improved a lot last year, but I think they are two very similar style players.
“I was a bit surprised when Everton signed Barry for that exact reason. It doesn’t make sense to have two very similar strikers because you get nothing different from the bench when you are trying to change a game.
“That’s why I believe they need to invest in a striker this summer as a number one priority. They need someone with experience to score goals consistently who offers something different to Beto and Barry.
“I think David Moyes must go out and get a new striker who can propel the club forward with goals and capitalise on all the creative attacking midfielders Everton have at their disposal.”
Tyrique George is all smiles after turning his loan move from Chelsea to Everton into a permanent transfer
Tyrique George is all smiles after turning his loan move from Chelsea to Everton into a permanent transfer (Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC/SmartFrame) 1 of 10
So long as Everton avoided relegation, Merlin Rohl's loan move from Freiburg was obligated to become a permanent transfer
So long as Everton avoided relegation, Merlin Rohl's loan move from Freiburg was obligated to become a permanent transfer
Manager David Moyes speaks to new signing Hayden Hackney
Manager David Moyes speaks to new signing Hayden Hackney