In modern football, it has become common for a player from one country to play for a club in another. One of the first such legionnaires in Russia, and possibly in Europe, was Yuri Bulanov. Born in April 1903, he played for the junior team of the Moscow Circle of Sports Lovers before the events of 1917.

During the Civil War, his family moved to Poland, where Bulanov continued to play football and soon debuted for Warsaw's "Korona." He played as a defender and showcased such skill that he quickly caught the attention of the Polish national team coaches. After several trials, Bulanov was included in the main squad, and on September 3, 1922, he played for the Polish national team for the first time in a match against Romania. Although Yuri did not score any goals, the game ended in a 1:1 draw, marking just the beginning of his career.

The following year, Bulanov transferred to the country's leading club, "Polonia," where his talent fully blossomed. He was distinguished by his high starting speed, impressive dribbling, skilled ball recovery, and leadership qualities. Coaches could not overlook such a player, and Yuri secured a permanent place in the Polish national team, becoming its captain in 1928. In Europe, Jerzy Bulanov (he changed his name to the Polish version) was considered one of the outstanding footballers of his time, and the magazine "Sport Review" recognized him as the best player in the country.

Bulanov played for the Polish national team until 1935 and was awarded the Silver Cross for his achievements in sports. After retiring, he remained with "Polonia" and worked there as head coach until the war. In 1945, unwilling to live in the new Poland, he emigrated with his family to Argentina, where he died in 1980 at the age of 77.