Hayden Hackney on his Everton move, Carrick's lessons and Moyes' influence

Hayden Hackney, who joined Everton this summer in a 16.5 million pound deal, has quickly settled into his new surroundings. In an exclusive interview, the 24-year-old midfielder revealed that the move was his primary choice, despite interest from several other Premier League clubs.

A major factor in his development was the mentorship of Michael Carrick during his time at Middlesbrough. Carrick helped Hackney refine his positional play and taught him the importance of taking the ball into his feet to facilitate quick, forward-thinking passes. Hackney noted that these technical lessons have become a fundamental part of his current playing style.

His decision to join the Toffees was significantly influenced by manager David Moyes and his track record of developing players recruited from the second tier. Positive feedback from his former England Under-21 team-mate Jarrad Branthwaite also played a key role in his transition to the club.

It was speaking to the manager, Jarrad and stuff like that. He has been really good with me. He’s got a past record with Championship players, so it’s drawn me in even more. Hayden Hackney

Hackney acknowledges that stepping up to the Premier League brings heightened competition. With the arrival of Christian Norgaard, the midfield options at Goodison Park are more crowded, but the newcomer views the challenge as a vital part of his growth as a professional footballer.