Everton’s summer capture of midfielder Hayden Hackney has been structured to limit the immediate hit to the club’s transfer budget, according to reporting this week. The deal, which was widely reported as an initial fee of £16.5million with potential add-ons approaching £25m, is being paid to Middlesbrough in instalments.
How the payments break down
Rather than settle the whole headline sum up front, Everton are understood to be paying the transfer across three payments over the next two years. The first payment to Middlesbrough was around £5.5m, with the remaining £11m to be paid over the following 24 months. The full package — including conditional add-ons — would see the total nearer to £25m.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial payment received by Middlesbrough | £5.5m |
| Remaining contracted payments over 24 months | £11m |
| Potential add-ons | Up to bring total near £25m |
What the move means for Everton
The strategy leaves Everton with the immediate benefit of bringing in a player who won the Championship Player of the Year (2025–26) while limiting short-term expenditure. Club reporting indicates that, in cashflow terms, the deal "has barely set Everton's transfer budget back" this summer.
- Hackney, a 24-year-old from Redcar, joins Everton after a standout season at Middlesbrough.
- The staged payments reduce up-front cost, but further sums may be due depending on add-ons.
- The signing comes alongside younger arrivals such as Merlin Rohl and Tyrique George at Goodison.
"So, the Toffees actually have Hackney in the building for dirt cheap to begin his Hill Dickinson Stadium career," the report concluded.
For supporters and analysts alike, the instalment plan is notable for its immediacy: Everton secure the player now while deferring much of the cash liability. That can be helpful as clubs balance spending on new signings with ongoing operating costs, wages and long-term financial planning.
On the pitch, the hope will be that Hackney justifies the outlay quickly. Off it, the payment structure reflects a growing trend where buying clubs try to reduce near-term accounting pressure while selling clubs accept staggered receipts. Middlesbrough will bank the initial £5.5m immediately, with the remainder due over the coming two years, and would receive further sums only if agreed add-on conditions are met.
For Hackney himself, arriving at Everton as a recognised young talent with domestic accolades, there is both opportunity and expectation. For fans in Hackney and across London who follow the Premier League closely, the transfer is another example of how clubs juggle ambition, risk and finances in a busy summer market.
