Thomas Callens

Thomas Callens grew up at FC Lorient, joining the club's academy at the age of seven and staying until 2015, when he moved to Stade Malherbe Caen. There he progressed through the reserve and under-19 sides before signing his first professional contract in May 2018, extended the following year to 2021. He came close to a senior debut in March 2020, named to start a Ligue 2 match against Valenciennes, but the game was cancelled because of the pandemic and the appearance never happened.

Callens returned to Lorient in October 2020 on a free move, though he again found himself with the reserve team rather than the first XI. A loan to FC Annecy in January 2022 marked a turning point. He made his professional debut that October in the Coupe de France, an 8–1 win over Diables Noirs, and followed it with his first Ligue 2 start in November against Sochaux, a 2–1 victory. In January 2023, with his Lorient contract expired, he signed with Annecy permanently on a free transfer.

The 2022–23 Coupe de France run brought him wider recognition. Facing Olympique de Marseille on 1 March 2023, Callens saved a penalty from Alexis Sánchez in the second half as the match finished 2–2, then saved another in the shootout to send Annecy through 7–6 on penalties and into the semi-finals. The performance earned him the nickname "Monsieur penalties".

He plays left-footed and has not been called up to the French national team at any level.