Everton’s first senior signing of the summer is through the door.
Hayden Hackney’s arrival from Middlesbrough dominated Thursday’s news, while the club also unveiled its new home kit ahead of the 2026-27 season. With one major piece of business complete, attention is already beginning to shift towards what comes next.
Hackney becomes Moyes’ first signing
After weeks of speculation, Everton confirmed the signing of Hayden Hackney on a five-year contract.
The midfielder arrives after establishing himself as one of the Championship’s standout young players and is expected to add energy, composure and passing quality in the centre of the pitch.
David Moyes has made no secret of his desire to strengthen midfield this summer and Hackney becomes the first new face to arrive ahead of pre-season.
New home kit unveiled
There was news off the pitch too as Everton revealed their new home strip for the upcoming campaign.
The shirt is the first to feature CMC Markets as the club’s principal sponsor and arrives as preparations continue for a new chapter at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Supporters will get their first opportunity to see the kit in action during pre-season later this month.
Midfield plans may not be complete
Hackney’s signing is unlikely to bring Everton’s midfield recruitment to an end.
Mandela Keita continues to be linked with the club, while Idrissa Gana Gueye’s future remains unresolved. With the transfer window still in its early stages, Moyes could yet look to add further depth before the Premier League season begins.
Defensive options still under consideration
With midfield strengthened, focus may now turn elsewhere.
A right-back remains one of the positions Everton have been assessing, with several names linked in recent weeks as the club weighs up its options. One of those mentioned is Man City’s Rico Lewis.
Whether that is the next deal completed remains to be seen, but recruitment is expected to continue over the coming weeks.
World Cup exits and progress for Everton’s internationals
It was a mixed evening for Everton’s players at the World Cup on Wednesday.
Jordan Pickford and England booked their place in the last 16 after coming from behind to beat DR Congo 2-1, with Harry Kane scoring twice to spare Thomas Tuchel’s side from a surprise exit.
There was disappointment for Idrissa Gana Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye, however, as Senegal were knocked out by Belgium in a dramatic 3-2 defeat after extra time, despite leading by two goals during the contest.
With Senegal now out of the tournament, Gueye and Ndiaye will be available to link up with Everton for pre-season preparations sooner than expected, while Pickford remains away on international duty as England prepare for a last-16 meeting with Mexico.
Plenty of work still to do
Hackney’s arrival gives Everton an encouraging start to the summer window, but there is still plenty on the agenda.
Further additions are expected; decisions are still to be made regarding several senior players, and pre-season is now only a matter of days away. Thursday represented progress rather than anything like the finished picture, with most of the squad-building work still ahead.
