Everton signed midfielder Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough for a fee of at least £16 million.
The 24-year-old has one year remaining on his Boro contract and leaves the club he joined at Under-10 level after they missed out on promotion to the Premier League last season.
Hackney, the 2025–26 Championship Player of the Year, helped Middlesbrough reach the play-off final in May, in which they lost 1–0 to Hull City.
“I’m delighted to be here,” said Hackney, who joined Everton on a five-year deal.
“As soon as I spoke to the manager (David Moyes), as soon as I knew Everton were interested, to be honest it was always Everton.
“It’s such a big club, with the new stadium and the direction it’s going. I just wanted to be a part of it.”
Hackney made 154 appearances for Boro, scoring 16 goals.
“As the homegrown midfielder enters the next chapter of his thriving career, everyone at MFC wishes Hayden all the best for the future,” Middlesbrough said in a statement.