Hayden Hackney has signed for Everton from Middlesbrough in a transfer that could reach £24.5million, concluding a 150-mile move from his hometown.
The 24-year-old midfielder is expected to make his Premier League debut in a blue shirt against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Hackney held talks with several clubs this summer, including Manchester United, but chose Everton because of manager David Moyes' record of developing Championship players such as Jarrod Bowen, Tim Cahill and Joleon Lescott.
He is likely to start in a holding role against Palace because fellow deep-lying midfielders Christian Norgaard and James Garner are injured, though what Moyes ultimately asks of his new signing may depend on the rest of the transfer window.
Middlesbrough roots
Hackney spent his entire youth and senior career at his hometown club Middlesbrough, rising from season ticket holder and ballboy to team talisman and captain. He had always pictured himself playing in the Premier League in Middlesbrough red, and was in tears on the pitch earlier this year after the team lost the Championship play-off final to Hull.
His parents, who were committed to his growth despite his father's football experience extending only to casual five-a-side games, used to drive him to training at Middlesbrough's Rockliffe Park complex every night after school, eating their tea in the car. Sources said they pushed their son hard and did not sugarcoat poor performances.
Paul Freary, Hackney's former physical education teacher at Sacred Heart Catholic Secondary School in Redcar, praised his humility.
"He was a very grounded lad, he wasn't big-headed or arrogant in any way," Freary said. "All the school teams and everyone in the area knew about him, he was playing for England and well thought of by Middlesbrough. He didn't let that go to his head, still got stuck in at school."
Unlike most young athletes, Hackney opted to study engineering rather than physical education at GCSE level to ensure he had a cushion to fall back on if football went awry.
He recently returned to the school for a question and answer session with students, remembering staff names and asking after them.
"He knew who his mates are, when he came in last year for a Q&A with the students, he was still mentioning the friends that he had at school, he still knocks around with those lads," Freary said. "Having that sense of realism and keeping grounded has helped him. He's worked really hard to get where he is now."
Scunthorpe loan
His development into an all-round midfielder included a loan spell at Scunthorpe in League Two during the 2021 to 2022 season, which Hackney has previously described as a life lesson in adapting to adult football.
The team won just four games across all competitions during a wretched trudge to relegation, but former Scunthorpe manager Neil Cox said the experience benefited the silky-footed teenager.
"He wasn't arrogant, he just wanted to play in the Premier League," Cox said. "He stood out in possession, but after two or three games, he realised how hard it was. Travelling on the day of games, not staying in hotels, not getting fed properly, playing Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday. It toughened him up. He did a good job."
Cox saw an edge in the player and said Hackney was upset to be substituted during one match, but responded by spending more time in the gym to improve his fitness and defensive work.
"No disrespect to Scunthorpe, he didn't want to play in League Two, he expected to play at Middlesbrough. That's what you want to hear from players," Cox said.
England prospects
Hackney returned to Middlesbrough and thrived under Michael Carrick, who cemented him in the first team and worked on his first touch, positioning and ability to carry the ball.
He beefed up to fend off challenges while retaining his willowy movement and ability to glide past defenders. Getting into more advanced positions last season, Hackney recorded career-best numbers with five goals and eight assists, and sharpened his sense for arriving in the box.
His pre-season performances have bolstered the buzz around him after he was named the Championship player of the season.
He was part of the England under-21 squad that won the European Championship last summer under Lee Carsley, alongside Elliot Anderson and Jarell Quansah, who was named in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad this summer.
Hackney, who is comfortable playing as a number six, eight or 10, considers his strengths to be his ball carrying and defence-splitting passes. He has named N'Golo Kante as his dream teammate, suggesting he does not see himself purely as a defensive workhorse.
Moyes system
Fitting into Moyes' masterplan is about sacrifice, according to Leon Osman, the former Everton midfielder who now co-hosts the Outside the Box podcast with former boxer Tony Bellew.
"Moyes strips you back," Osman said. "He makes you forget about whatever you're capable of and makes you understand that there's 11 players out there."
Osman said the manager turns players into hard workers and great teammates.
"You don't lose confidence in who you are, but he turns players into hard workers and great team-mates. You lose your ego, but your quality still shows through," Osman said. "Understanding lots of different positions, and what's being asked of your team-mates in them, helps you be better at your own role."
"It can be frustrating because you want to dominate one position and be a master at it, but if being moved around is what it takes for the team to win, that's what you've got to do. Hayden's not looked out of place in pre-season. I'm excited about him."
Away from the pitch, Hackney is described as a quiet character who will not bring an ego to the club.
He consulted his friend and former England youth teammate Jarrad Branthwaite before moving to Everton, and the pair have already played golf and taken a trip to the beach in Dundee with Nathan Patterson.
Hackney is also eager to dovetail with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Garner in midfield.
He remains attached to his North East roots, his love for chicken parmo and his local lilt, but is overawed to be at Everton.
He struggled to contain his smile after experiencing the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time in a 1-1 pre-season draw against Lille.
"It was unbelievable," he said. "I can't wait for a Premier League game, even the atmosphere here in a friendly game was everything I thought it would be."
