Hayden Hackney makes 'massive' admission after what he's noticed about Everton fans
Hayden Hackney is still looking to establish himself as a regular at Everton.
The 24-year-old move to Hill Dickinson Stadium from Middlesbrough at the start of the summer transfer window.
Everton reportedly paid a fee of at least £16million to sign the central midfielder from the Championship outfit.
He has only played 157 minutes in the Premier League thus far, though, averaging 26 minutes across his six top-flight appearances.
Still early in his Everton career, there is plenty of time for Hackney to get more game time for the Toffees shirt.
And he has been discussing some of the similarities he has noticed between Everton and Middlesbrough.
Hayden Hackney opens up on Everton move from Middlesbrough
Hackney has started just two games so far for Everton, one in the Premier League and one in the Carabao Cup.
There has been a clamour for him to get more minutes under David Moyes, but he faces tough competition in the centre of the park.
Harrison Armstrong is enjoying a breakout campaign, while James Garner is seen as a pivotal figure in Moyes' set-up.
But Hackey is confident he has made the "perfect fit" in Everton, stating that there are similarities between the Toffees and his former employers.
He described Everton as a massive club, and noticed that there are shared values between Blues and Boro supporters.
Speaking to the club's official website, he said: "I think it was the perfect fit. There are a lot of similarities with Middlesbrough. It’s a working-class place.
“The fans are similar and it’s a massive club. I think there’s a new generation of young players, a new stadium. It’s exciting times and I want to be a part of it."
Hayden Hackney's time will come at Everton
It is little secret that Everton are playing with a threadbare squad right now.
A dismal transfer window left Moyes with just 18 senior players, so he is having to manage his resources carefully.
Hackney might have expected to rack up more Premier League minutes by now, but the games coming thick and fast between now and Christmas, every player in the squad will be needed.
The 24-year-old will get his opportunities and he must be ready to grasp them when they do arrive.