Hayden Hackney ready to run through walls for David Moyes after first Everton comments
Hayden Hackney's first words as an Everton player will be music to the ears of boss David Moyes.
The 24-year-old midfielder has been confirmed as the Blues' first addition of the summer transfer window.
The Hill Dickinson Stadium side have been chasing the Middlesbrough academy prospect all summer and have now snapped him up.
Everton have paid around £16million sign Hackney, who was last season's Championship Player of the Season, with the potential for further add-ons.
He has signed a five-year contract that should keep him on Merseyside until 2031.
Now, he has spoken about the move and one particular aspect will excite his manager.
What did Hayden Hackney say as Everton move confirmed?
Hackney has revealed that he is willing to do exactly what Moyes and the supporters expect.
Speaking to the club's official website after he was unveiled as a Blue on Thursday, he said: "It feels like a good fit for me, for sure.
"I think it's a given that you work hard, you run, you make tackles. I'll be doing that."
That suggests that he is willing to run through walls for his new manager, and will make the right impression on the fans.
He also confirmed that he can't wait to get going and show what he can do in pre-season.
He said: "It was big for me to get it done before the start of pre-season.
"I wanted to be here on day one and do the whole pre-season with the lads.
"I can't wait for it. It helps with everything. Obviously, it's a new set of lads who I'll get used to and then also living down here. I'm delighted."
What do Hackney's Championship stats from last season mean for Everton?
Hackney's stats from the Championship last season imply that he will have no trouble backing up those promises, and coming good for the Blues.
He notched five goals and seven assists in 38 second tier appearances, per data from Fotmob.
He averaged 2.66 shots, 2.25 chances created and 3.69 touches in the opposition box on a per 90 basis, which are solid attacking numbers.
Defensively, he made 1.85 tackles, 5.57 ball recoveries, and 0.76 clearances per game, which should see him fit right in.
He was not shy when it came to ground duels, winning 47 per cent that he attempted, but struggled in the air, with a 40.5 per cent success rate.
He will likely improve with better quality teammates around him, learning from some top players in training can only make his game even better, which is a very exciting prospect.
If he can manage similar numbers in his first campaign in the Premier League, he will go a long way to proving that the decision to sign him was the right one.