Everton's forgotten first summer signing and why he could yet play big part for David Moyes

Everton fans were rightly excited on Thursday when confirmation dropped of Hayden Hackney's arrival from Middlesbrough.

Hackney joins Everton for an upfront fee of £16.5million, which can be considered a bargain all things considered.

The Toffees face paying more in add-ons, but that will all be worthwhile should those various boxes be ticked over time.

Landing the Championship Player of the Year instantly upgrades Everton's midfield, but Hackney is not the first arrival of the summer at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

That honour, if you will, goes to Merlin Rohl as his loan move from Freiburg was made permanent at the start of the window.

And while it does seem a slightly underwhelming signing on the face of it, Rohl could play a bigger part than expected this coming season.

David Moyes already starting to get use out of Merlin Rohl

Rohl arrived permanently from Freiburg as a result of a clause being triggered in his loan agreement.

The 23-year-old has cost Everton £18m, making him a fair bit more expensive than Hackney in terms of an upfront fee.

While Rohl did underwhelm for the majority of last season, he ended the campaign as a starter.

David Moyes found a place for the former Germany Under-21 midfielder, who grew in confidence and scored his first goal in the loss to Sunderland.

It was clear heading into the summer that Moyes wanted to rebuild his central midfield.

Hackney helps with that, while Richard Rios has now been linked with a move to Everton.

Which all begs the obvious question: Is there even going to be a place for Rohl in the side?

Rohl ticks key box for David Moyes, even if not a starter

Hackney will slot into midfield alongside Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, with the pair able to complement each other in the centre.

Moyes then has the option of playing Rohl further forward, with his pressing being a key aspect.

It is more likely that Rohl continues to be used in rotation, however, and that is something that ticks a key box for Moyes.

The Scotsman has made clear he wants competition in his side, with Rohl certainly providing a strong option to call upon.

Everton's focus will likely switch towards signing a new winger and potentially an upgraded striker on Beto and Thierno Barry.

For now, the centre of the park is taking shape nicely with plenty of the window still to go.