Everton can make a light-hearted claim to their first trophy of the season after summer signing Hayden Hackney was named the PFA Championship Players’ Player of the Year.
Hackney collected the award following his performances for Middlesbrough during the 2025/26 campaign, before his summer move to Everton.
The midfielder was also named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year, completing an impressive night for the 24-year-old.
Everton marked the achievement on their official social media channels, congratulating their new signing on the award.
There is an obvious catch. Hackney did all the work that earned him the trophy in a Middlesbrough shirt, so Everton cannot really add this one to the honours list.
Still, they now have the Championship’s reigning Players’ Player of the Year in their squad.
Hackney award backs up Everton move
The fact the award is decided by fellow professionals gives it particular weight.
Hackney was chosen ahead of Matt Grimes, Jack Rudoni, Carl Rushworth, Žan Vipotnik and Haji Wright after establishing himself as one of the Championship’s outstanding midfielders last season.
He was also selected alongside Grimes and Rudoni in midfield in the division’s PFA Team of the Year.
For Everton, it is another indication of the quality they believe they have added to David Moyes’ squad this summer.
Individual awards earned elsewhere will not determine whether Hackney succeeds on Merseyside, of course. His performances in an Everton shirt will do that.
But having the player voted the Championship’s best by those who played against him is hardly a bad place to start.
So, no, Everton cannot quite claim their first trophy of 2026/27.
They might borrow it, though.
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