Singapore: Former US NBA star Dennis Rodman arrived in Singapore late on Monday for a summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, saying he was "excited to be part of it".

There has been no indication Rodman would be involved in any official talks at the summit, which is aimed at getting North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons and missiles in exchange for economic incentives and security guarantees.

"It should go fairly well, but people should not expect so much for the first time," Rodman told reporters at the airport. "The doors are opening."

Trump, asked last week if Rodman had been invited to Singapore, said: "No, he wasn’t."

Rodman is one of a handful of Westerners to have visited reclusive North Korea and met Kim, who is believed to be a huge basketball fan and occasional player. He most recently travelled there a year ago as a private citizen.