Everton have signed midfielder Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough for a fee of at least £16m.
The 24-year-old had one year left on his contract with Boro 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 season, helped Middlesbrough reach the play-off final in May, which they lost 1-0 to Hull City.
"I'm delighted to be here," said Hackney, who has 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 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 made 154 appearances for Boro, scoring 16 goals.
"As the homegrown midfielder enters a new chapter in his flourishing career, everyone at MFC wishes Hayden all the very best for the future," said a Middlesbrough statement.
Everton are also close to agreeing a deal with Chelsea to sign winger Tyrique George following his loan spell with the Toffees during the second half of last season.
