Everton look set to scalp the Championship of one of their top players this summer.
In recent hours, Everton have agreed a deal to sign Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough in a deal initially worth £16.5m.
Weeks of negotiations have led to this point, with Everton fans being left desperate for a major update.
Signing players from the second tier will provide an element of risk for the Toffees, but they do have a strong history of landing quality from the Championship.
How would you feel about Hayden Hackney becoming Everton’s first signing? 🤩
As Everton near the signing of Hackney, Everton News has taken a look at some of the club’s previous business in the Championship.
Four of the best Championship signings for Everton
James Tarkowski
Following Burnley’s relegation back to the Championship in the 2021/22 campaign, James Tarkowski departed the club as a free agent.
Although Everton did not strictly sign him directly from Burnley, the Toffees did secure the centre-back after his recent departure from Turf Moor.
Ironically, Everton have been ordered to pay Burnley £40m following the financial failings from that season, which the Clarets feel contributed to their relegation.
That aside, Tarkowski has gone on to make 159 appearances for Everton across all competitions and currently wears the captain’s armband.
Everton handed Tarkowski a new contract late last year, which extended his stay through until 2028.
Jordan Pickford
Everton were also able to poach Jordan Pickford following Sunderland’s relegation back to the Championship in 2017.
This signing speaks for itself, with Pickford leading Everton and England in the nine years since he made the move from Wearside.
Pickford cost Everton in the region of £30m almost a full decade ago, and Everton have certainly got their money’s worth from that deal.
What did you make of Jordan Pickford during England’s opener against Croatia? 😬
Gary Neville admitted Pickford has really proved him wrong over the years after, what he believed was, an erratic start to life at Everton and the England national side.
The 32-year-old goalkeeper has kept exactly 100 clean sheets in his 358 appearances for Everton.
Idrissa Gana Gueye
Idrissa Gana Gueye’s future at Everton remains uncertain again as the Senegal international is yet to agree to terms on a contract extension.
The 36-year-old’s first stint on Merseyside saw him make the move to Everton following Aston Villa’s relegation in the 2015/16 season.
What would you do with Idrissa Gana Gueye this summer? 😬
He's got a one-year extension clause in his deal…
Gueye has now racked up 236 appearances for Everton over his two spells at the club, but he may already have played his final game for the Blues.
He has been a true servant to the club, yet his potential exit has not been handled in the best manner.
Phil Jagielka
Another sensational piece of business from Everton saw Phil Jagielka make the leap up from the Championship in 2007.
A £4m deal with Sheffield United proved one of the real Premier League bargains as the Toffees utilised the centre-back for 12 years and got a return of 385 appearances.
Jagielka retired in 2023 after leaving Everton in 2019, where he returned to play in the English Football League.
You just do not get value like this anymore.
Two of the worst Championship signings for Everton
Tyler Dibling
Last year, Tyler Dibling actually made an appearance in the Championship before he made his move to Everton.
Clearly it has not been the opening season he would have been dreaming of following his £40m move to Merseyside.
How can Tyler Dibling actually turn things around at Everton? 🤷♂️
It's going to need some turnaround from the youngster 😫
The 20-year-old played just 350 minutes of Premier League football under David Moyes in the 2025/26 campaign.
It is way too early to be writing Dibling off, but he has a lot to prove over the summer.
Moyes has urged Dibling to showcase his talent in pre-season in what could be a pivotal couple of months in the youngster’s career.
Jermaine Beckford
Everton landed Jermaine Beckford after his contract at Leeds United was ended early.
Moyes played a huge role in bringing the striker to Merseyside, but he only spent a year at Everton before being sold to Leicester City.
Beckford was able to score 10 goals in his 40 appearances for the Toffees, yet never really convinced, which saw his four-year contracted stay come to an early conclusion.
A swift return to the Championship saw him fail to replicate his 10-goal return for Everton in the 2011/12 season for the Foxes.
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