sport news Nathan Redmond is ready to step out of his comfort zone and revel in Besiktas' ... trends now
Rumblings on the banks of the Bosphorus take hold and roll around Vodafone Park, the historic home of Beşiktaş, nestled into its natural amphitheatre created by slopes rising steeply towards Taksim Square.
Up goes the ferocious noise, strangely out of keeping with its setting beside Istanbul's Dolmabahçe Palace and the glittering sea. They measured decibel levels of 132 here in 2007, some kind of world record at a football match and probably not good for the ears.
The entire place starts to shake. This is a regular Monday night fixture, early in the season, broadcast live on TV and still jammed with more than 40,000, every single one of them seemingly jumping on the spot and contributing to the din.
Nathan Redmond arrived at Besiktas in order to find a 'fresh challenge' abroad
For Nathan Redmond on his Beşiktaş debut it was something to behold. 'It was my first time in that sort of atmosphere,' he told Sportsmail. 'I've been away with England a few times, especially in younger age groups and experienced hostile atmospheres but this was something else.
'From the warm-up, we came out and it was nearly full. Non-stop singing, ear-piercing whistling when the opposition have the ball. I nearly went deaf at one point.'
Turkish football thrives on its tribalism. 'The best atmosphere in European football bar none, with apologies to the Premier League,' smiled a Beşiktaş official by way of a welcome as he led the way past riot police and two rings of security and into the concrete depths of the stadium, flanked by menacing murals of black eagles and thunderclouds.
Redmond came off the bench to show glimpses of his talent in a 1-0 loss to Istanbul Basaksehir
For Redmond and Dele Alli, two England internationals who have signed this summer, it is part of the attraction.
Alli was quick to enthuse about the positive energy of the fans when he signed last month. 'The feeling has been amazing,' he said. 'The passion around the place is amazing. Hopefully, I can entertain and bring a lot of success here.'
The charms of Istanbul have been enchanting visitors for centuries even if this represents a step into the unknown for both.
'It's a chance to step out of my comfort zone,' said Redmond, encouraged by a chance encounter with David Beckham at the airport before flying to Turkey. 'We talked, and he said some of the best memories of his career came playing abroad.
Redmond left Southampton after six years, signing a one-year deal at the Turkish club
'That gave me confidence in the move. It would have been easy to stay in England somehow but I needed a fresh challenge. My family were supportive, up for a new experience and when I spoke to Dele he really sold Beşiktaş to me.
'He was probably in a similar position to me. Looking outside England to enjoy a fresh start and something different and learn something new. I'm looking forward to learning about this great city and its culture, and what makes people fall in love with this club.'
