An Estonian national who is in jail for illegal weapons offences has reportedly admitted that he was behind the murder of a Dutch kick boxer in 2001, the Telegraaf said on Wednesday.

The 46-year-old man says he feels remorse about shooting Coen de Nijs in the centre of Alkmaar 18 years ago and wants to come clean, the paper said. The paper was tipped off about the case a month ago and the investigation has now been reopened.

No motive for the killing has ever been put forward although there were suggestions that De Nijs may have been caught up in a drugs gang war and owned members money.

The Estonian will appear in court on Friday in connection in connection with the new case. It is unclear if he has yet made a formal confession but was questioned by detectives on Tuesday, the Telegraaf said.