In a move designed to give them flexibility pending the outcome of an upcoming trial, the Dynamo have re-signed goalkeeper Tyler Deric, who remains suspended by MLS.

The club has not announced the transaction but did issue a statement to the Chronicle confirming the news Thursday afternoon. News of the signing was first reported by the Washington Post earlier Thursday.

Deric was suspended on Nov. 1 following his arrest for an alleged domestic incident that took place in the early hours of Oct. 31. Deric was charged with misdemeanor assault of a family member.

Court documents alleged that Deric "unlawfully, intentionally and knowingly" caused bodily injury to a person with whom he had a dating relationship by striking her with his head.

The Houston native did not play in the club's final three playoff games following the suspension. When the season ended, the Dynamo did not pick up the option on his contract, which allowed him to become a free agent.

RELATED: Dynamo goalkeeper Tyler Deric suspended following arrest

A person with knowledge of the situation told the Chronicle on Thursday that the signing happened earlier this year and was done so the Dynamo would retain Deric's rights in case he is allowed to return to the league.

If Deric is found guilty or otherwise remains suspended, the Dynamo would release him, the source said. The source added that even if Deric is cleared and released from suspension, there is no guarantee he would return to the Dynamo.

The club issued the following statement Thursday: "The Houston Dynamo have re-signed Tyler Deric. Deric remains under league suspension and the league's investigation is ongoing. We will continue to monitor the situation and will reassess his future with the club pending the completion of the investigation."

Deric, 29, has played his entire nine-year career with the Dynamo. The Klein High School graduate signed a Homegrown Player contract with the club in 2009.

Deric's case has been moving slowly and is likely to continue in that manner, his attorney Allen Tanner said Thursday.

Tanner said prosecutors are waiting for more information relating to the case from the District Attorney's office and from the police department. Once prosecutors have that information a trial date can be set. Deric's next scheduled court appearance is Feb. 22.

Further complicating matters, Tanner added, is that the court house flooded during Hurricane Harvey in August. Courts are currently set up in temporary quarters, making it more difficult than usual to get a trial date set.

Because of that, Tanner said, it 'could be months' before the case goes to trial.