TRANMERE stalwart John Achterberg has spoken of his joy at landing a ‘dream job’ at Liverpool as he departs Prenton Park after 11 years.

The Dutchman, who turns 38 next month, will move to the Anfield outfit as a goalkeeping coach, working primarily with the reserves and youth teams under Xavi Valero’s stewardship.

Achterberg, who made more than 300 appearances for Rovers since arriving in England from FC Eindhoven in 1998, was player-goalkeeping coach at Tranmere, acting as understudy in the first team to Danny Coyne.

He becomes the latest big name to depart the Wirral club this summer following the exits of captain Antony Kay, assistant manager Peter Shirtliff plus manager Ronnie Moore – who was sacked on Friday despite taking Tranmere to the brink of the play-offs on a reduced budget from the previous season.

Achterberg said: “This is a dream chance – I need to take it with both hands.

“It’s a massive wrench for me to leave Tranmere after so many years, the fans there have always been so great to me and hopefully they always will be.

“I’d like to think that the Tranmere fans will understand my move however as I’m joining one of the best clubs in the world.”

The Utrecht-born keeper was the longest-serving player at Prenton Park having been signed to replace the Everton-bound Steve Simonsen but had lost his regular number one spot in recent seasons with his role at the club being more focused on his increasing coaching commitments.