Hayden Hackney

Club career

Middlesbrough Hackney joined Middlesbrough's academy after being spotted playing for his local side Redcar Town. Having been part of the Middlesbrough team that reached the under-18 Premier League Cup final in 2019, he signed his first professional contract with the club on 26 June 2019, his 17th birthday. Shortly after being named on the first-team bench for a match against Barnsley in November 2019, he was praised by Middlesbrough manager Jonathan Woodgate, with Woodgate claiming "Hayden Hackney deserves to be there because he's been outstanding for the Under-23s". He made his league debut for the club in the final match of the season as a substitute in a 3–0 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers. He signed a new two-year contract with the club later that month.

On 31 August 2021, Hackney joined EFL League Two side Scunthorpe United on loan until January 2022. After playing in the majority of games in the first half of the season, Hackney's loan was extended to last until the end of the season. In the 15th minute of a 2–0 defeat to Exeter City, Hackney was caught spitting at an opponent. The referee did not see this at the time, but after the game, The Football Association confirmed that Hackney had admitted to spitting and was given a six-game suspension. He made 31 appearances as Scunthorpe were relegated to the National League.

Hackney's game time at Middlesbrough was limited at the start of the 2022–23 season, but Hackney became a regular starter following the appointment of Michael Carrick as manager in October 2022. On 19 October, Hackney scored his first goal for Middlesbrough in a 4–1 win against Wigan Athletic. On 8 December, he signed a contract extension until 2026. but lost out to Bristol City's Alex Scott.

On 28 June 2023, Hackney signed a new contract for Middlesbrough, keeping him to the club until the summer of 2027. Hackney captained the club for the first time in a 1–0 home defeat to Aston Villa in the FA Cup on 6 January 2024. On 9 January, he scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory over Chelsea in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final.

Everton On 2 July 2026, Everton officially unveiled Hackney as their new signing for a reported fee of £16.5 million.

International career Hackney represented England at under-15 level.

In September 2023, Hackney was called up to the England under-21 squad for the first time. On 11 September 2023, he made his England U21 debut during a 3–0 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification win away to Luxembourg. In March 2025 Hackney scored his only goal at international youth level in a 4–2 victory against Portugal at The Hawthorns.

Hackney was included in the England squad for the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. During the semi-final he provided the assist for the winning goal by Harvey Elliott against Netherlands. Hackney was an unused substitute in the final as England defeated Germany to win the tournament.

Style of play Hackney plays as a central midfielder. He often plays as a deep-lying playmaker due to his ability in possession of the ball.

Honours

England U21 UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2025 EFL Championship Player of the Season: 2025–26 EFL Championship Team of the Year: 2025–26 PFA Team of the Year: 2025–26 Championship PFA Players' Player of the Year: 2025–26 Championship