Everton news: 'It was always going to be Everton' - Hackney

Hayden Hackney has completed his move to Everton on a five-year contract, becoming David Moyes' first summer signing. The 24-year-old midfielder was Championship Player of the Season whilst with Middlesbrough, before the club lost to Hull City in the play-off final.

Everton acted swiftly to secure Hackney ahead of interest from seven other clubs, completing an initial deal worth 16.5 million pounds. The midfielder was emphatic about his choice: "It was always going to be Everton. It's such a big club with the new stadium and the direction it's going in. I just wanted to be part of that."

Hackney highlighted Moyes' track record with Championship players as decisive. "The manager's track record of bringing players from the Championship to the Premier League was a massive part of my decision as well. Hopefully I can be the next one to do it successfully for Everton," he said. Moyes has elevated Joleon Lescott, Tim Cahill and Jarred Bowen from the second tier.

Discussing expectations, Hackney demonstrated confidence in his capabilities. "I think fans can expect a bit of everything from me, attacking and defensively. I think I can carry the ball well, arrive late in the box and hopefully score some goals," he stated. He acknowledged the competitive environment but expressed readiness for the challenge.

Hackney was keen to complete his move before pre-season. "It was big for me to get it done before the start of pre-season. I wanted to be here on day one and do the whole pre-season with the lads," he explained. Moyes welcomed the arrival, saying: "Hayden is a promising young player who we've been tracking for some time and I'm looking forward to working with him."