The 21-year-old’s three superb goals in the opening four games combined with his standout performances since the start of the new campaign shot the youngster to prominence.

Brown is the first player to be nominated for the NAB Young Footballer of the Year award this season.

He and a further five players yet to be nominated in future weeks will compete to be named the NAB Young Footballer of the Year at the Hyundai A-League Awards in 2012.

Brown is the first Gold Coast United player to receive the award and he was delighted and flattered to hear the news.

“It’s an honour for me personally and it’s always nice to get recognised,” he said. “This wouldn’t have happened if I wasn’t playing regularly and that’s perhaps the most satisfying part of it.

"You don’t think about being noticed when you’re out on the field so it has come as a very nice surprise.

“The season has started really well for me and hopefully it will continue if I can maintain my form and stay injury-free."

United Head Coach Miron Bleiberg was glowing in his praise for United’s young star who has begun to fulfil his potential after two seasons hindered by injury.

“James Brown was the first player identified to be part of Gold Coast United because we could see his quality from a young age,” Bleiberg said.

“The last two seasons have been a bit frustrating for him because he broke his leg in year one and had some other injury issues last season, but now he’s in good shape and everyone can see what he is capable of.”