Hailing from fellow north-east town Gateshead, Hayden has been on the books at Boro since 2012 and was part of the young side that reached the knockout phase of the UEFA Youth   League in the 2015/16 term.

Finding the net in wins over Torino and Dynamo Kyiv, Boro were knocked out of the competition by eventual runners-up PSG but Hayden’s knack for goals continued the following season with three in eight Premier League 2 appearances.

The versatile left-sided player nailed down a starting berth for the Under-23s in 2017/18 with first-team experiences coming in 2018/19 at St. Mirren and Cambridge United.

He was handed his Boro debut by Jonathan Woodgate in August 2019 as the Teessiders played out an entertaining 3-3 draw at Luton Town.

Hayden’s first goal in Boro colours came in a 1-1 draw at home to Blackburn Rovers and he would end the campaign with 30 appearances in all competitions.

The flying full-back has since spent time on loan at Ipswich Town, Peterborough United and, most recently, Aberdeen, where the Dons finished third in the Scottish Premiership while reaching the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup.

After signing a new deal until 2025, with the option of a further year, Hayden returned to Boro for the start of Michael Carrick’s first pre-season.

Hayden has represented England at Under-16, U17 and U18 level and was a key part of our U18s double-winning side in 2015.