Middlesbrough Aims for Championship Competitiveness
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Middlesbrough Aims for Championship Competitiveness

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Middlesbrough is focusing on strengthening its squad after a narrow defeat in the Championship play-off final, despite losing key player Hayden Hackney. Manager Phil Parkinson believes recent transfer activity demonstrates the club's intent to remain competitive in the upcoming season.

Middlesbrough narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League after suffering a 1-0 loss to Hull City in the Championship play-off final at Wembley in May. The defeat came despite a strong showing throughout the regular season, and the club is now looking to build on that foundation.

A significant change for Middlesbrough this summer has been the sale of Hayden Hackney to Everton for a base fee of at least £16m. Hackney was recognized as last season's English Football League Championship player of the season before his departure.

Despite losing a key player, Phil Parkinson believes Middlesbrough’s summer transfer business so far shows Kim Hellberg's side are intent on being as competitive as possible this season. The club appears to be reinvesting funds from the Hackney sale to bolster its squad and challenge for promotion once again in the upcoming Championship campaign.

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