HAYDEN Hackney says there's excitement in the Middlesbrough camp ahead of the coming Championship season, with the midfielder - on a high after signing a new deal with his hometown club - relishing the promotion challenge.

Hackney enjoyed a brilliant Boro breakthrough last term, establishing himself as one of the best midfielders in the division and being nominated for the Championship's Young Player of the Year award.

He was rewarded with a new contract in December but such was his rapid progression and consistency, he was handed another new deal this week, committing himself to the club until 2027 amid interest from Premier League clubs this summer.

A new squad number for the coming season is evidence of Hackney's Boro importance. He wore No.30 last term but will now have the number seven on his back.

Hackney and his Boro teammates head for Portugal this weekend for a pre-season training camp that will include a behind closed doors friendly against Vitoria Guimaraes, before returning to the UK for a series of domestic friendlies.

Boro suffered play-off heartbreak last season but the players have put that disappointment behind them.

"There's a good group of players, we're gelling well together so there's exciting times to come," Hackney told the club website.

"I think last year we fell a bit short but hopefully this year we can really go for it. It's been hard work (in pre-season so far) but everyone has settled in well and the football has been good."

On his new squad number, Hackney said: "I was going to stick with 30 because that was my breakthrough number but they offered me seven so I took that."

Hackney enjoyed a rapid and quite remarkable rise last season. He wasn't part of Chris Wilder's first team plans early in the campaign but after being handed his first Championship start by interim boss Leo Percovich in October, the Redcar-born midfielder didn't look back.

He scored his first professional goal in the 4-1 win at Wigan before going on to become a hugely important player for Michael Carrick, who Hackney loves working under.

He said: "In training he (Carrick) is giving me little things I can work on, such as my body position. There isn't many better to learn from."

READ MORE:

Hackney's form last season unsurprisingly turned heads in the Premier League but he was over the moon to agree to a new deal with Boro.

He says: "I am delighted. Obviously after last season I really enjoyed my first season playing first team football and hope I can do the same this year."

Reflecting on his breakthrough, he said: "At the start it was a bit of a shock to get in. I seemed to settle really well then just played my stuff so hopefully that can continue.

"All the lads were very welcoming. It's hard because I was quite shy at the start but all the lads welcomed me nicely. My debut was very special, I can't wait to get back out there in front of fans."