Hayden Hackney has revealed that joining Everton was a straightforward choice, as the midfielder opted for the Blues over interest from more than a third of Premier League clubs.
The former Middlesbrough starlet, who had hoped to guide his hometown club back to the top flight, saw his departure become inevitable after their play-off final defeat. Despite Boro's failure to secure promotion, Hackney's rise to the Premier League continued.
Why Everton Won the Race
Speaking to the ECHO, Hackney said: "It was my number one. I wanted to come here. It was always my number one. It was quite similar to Middlesbrough. Obviously, Everton is a massive club, it's a big club. But the fanbase - I feel like the people are pretty similar. So yeah, it was easy."
He added: "It was just instinct, I think. When it came, I just felt instantly that was the one that I wanted. And yeah, it just happened the way I wanted to. It was perfect."
Moyes' Influence and Championship Pedigree
Manager David Moyes' reputation for developing Championship talent played a key role. Hackney noted the manager's track record with players such as Tim Cahill, Phil Jagielka, and Jarrod Bowen. "His past, what he's done with Championship players, that is something that obviously drew me. I wanted to be a part of this," Hackney said.
"He didn't really have to say much because it was all there, the things he's done with the Championship players, the size of the club. But yeah, he did [try to sell Everton]. And he made it very easy for me."
Branthwaite's Role and Pre-Season Progress
Hackney's friendship with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, forged during time with England's Under-21s, also helped. Branthwaite told the ECHO in Stuttgart: "I was messaging him. It took quite a while, I was always onto him saying: 'What's going on?' I'm buzzing for him to be here. He's a top boy who can help us massively throughout the season."
Hackney, speaking at the Öschberghof resort in Germany, said Branthwaite's assurance that he would quickly feel at home had come true within days. Having been carefully managed due to an injury that ended last season early, he has become a key part of Everton's pre-season. He described his playing style: "That's probably one of my biggest positives I can bring to the team, moving the play forward, breaking the lines with passes, and also with running with the ball. I want to play forward. I might lose it sometimes, but the time that it does get through, hopefully will come in as a chance or lead to a goal."
Debut on the Horizon
With Christian Norgaard, Tim Iroegbunam, and James Garner injured, the only question for the season opener against Crystal Palace is whether Hackney will start or come off the bench. Asked about his ambition for the season, he said: "It's playing as many games as I possibly can. Obviously, if I'm not playing I'll work 100% to make sure that I will play the next week. And, yeah, just doing what they've brought me in to do, really, which is to carry the ball and play forward as quickly as possible, create chances and hopefully score a few goals and get some assists as well."
