A traumatic week became worse for Gold Coast United when young gun James Brown confirmed he would link with A-League rivals Newcastle next season.

The exciting midfielder – who has played for Australia’s under 17s, 20s and 23s – confirmed on Friday he had signed a two-season deal with the Jets.

It had already been a week to forget for the A-League cellar dwellers.

The future of coach Miron Bleiberg is up in the air after he was suspended by the former glamour club’s billionaire owner Clive Palmer for Friday night’s clash with Melbourne Heart.

Palmer felt Bleiberg publicly belittled the owner’s bizarre decision to appoint teenage debutant Mitch Cooper as stand-in skipper for United.

Bleiberg has been suspended for one match but it remains to be seen if the coach stays at the club after appearing to fall out with his once close friend Palmer.

If that was not enough of a distraction, United are resigned to losing their season’s leading goal scorer Brown.

Brown, 21, will see out the season at United before linking with the Jets for 2012-13 and 2013-14.

He has made 36 A-League appearances to date.

“I wish to thank Gold Coast for all they have done for me,” Brown said in a statement.

“We still have the season ahead to focus on which is what I will do and, once it is over, I will look forward to moving to Newcastle and joining the Jets.”

Jets coach Gary van Egmond believed Brown would suit their style of play.

“James is the modern day footballer and a quality player,” van Egmond said.

“We look forward to having him in the squad and further developing his talent.”

Meanwhile, Brisbane Roar hoped the week’s events – and the Gold Coast’s woeful season form – would not spell the beginning of the end for their Queensland rivals.

“Definitely. I don’t want to see any team fall over, particularly the Gold Coast – we have a good rivalry with them,” Roar coach Ange Postecoglou said on Friday.

“This year, they have had some disappointments on the field but every club goes through its ups and downs.

“I would be disappointed if they dropped out of the league because of one poor season.

“Maybe in this country, it is a little bit unique (Bleiberg’s suspension) but every club runs its own course – but I don’t like commenting on other clubs.”